HAPPI Hour Webinar - 30 Years on: Reflecting on the Disability Discrimination Act and the road ahead

The views shared in this webinar do not necessarily reflect the views of the Housing LIN.

You can also download the chat report here (opens new window).

• Great range of speakers and knowledge. 
• Valuable reflections on the Disability Discrimination Act and how to move forward to more inclusive housing provision.
• Engaging, informative and interesting.

This autumn, the Housing LIN has published a series of guest blogs in the run-up to the anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This HAPPI Hour webinar marked a significant milestone – 30 years since the DDA was introduced.

The Act made it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people in employment, in access to goods, services and facilities, and in the management of premises. But three decades on, what difference has it really made – particularly in housing and the built environment?

To explore this important question, we were pleased to share the special anniversary blog series and this webinar, bringing together campaigners, policymakers, practitioners and people with lived experience to share their reflections on the DDA’s impact – or its shortcomings. We were also delighted to be joined by Emma Palmer, Chief Executive of Eastlight Community Homes, a resident-led housing association in the East of England. Emma has also been recently appointed as the government’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Housing.

In this HAPPI Hour webinar, Jeremy Porteus, CEO of Housing LIN, was joined by contributors to the blog series to reflect on:

• The legacy of the DDA over the past 30 years

• The difference it has (or hasn’t) made to disabled people’s housing and daily lives

• Lessons learned and what still needs to change to ensure equality in the built environment

3.30 pm – Welcome and Housekeeping
Sally Razey, Communications and Membership Officer, Housing LIN

3:35 pm – Welcome and Introduction
Jeremy Porteus, Founder and CEO, Housing LIN

3.40 pm – Panel member presentations: 

• It’s crucial that the rights that we have are used to their fullest extent
  Catherine Casserley, a Barrister specialising in equality law, human rights and employment, particularly disability

• Disability equality in England: A tale of two duties 
  Andy Shipley, Researcher, University of Exeter

• Don’t Box Me In: 30 Years on from the Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
  Julia Lawrence, University of Stirling’s Intersectional Stigma of Place-based Ageing (ISPA) project.

• 30 years on from the Disability Discrimination Act: A personal reflection
  Gary Bourlet, Membership and Engagement Lead, and co-founder of Learning Disability England

• No more scrubbing the doorstep, but how far have we really come?
  Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact & External Affairs, Habinteg

• Unlocking Freedom: Why Adapted Housing Is a Right, Not a Privilege
  Sir David Pearson, Independent Chair and Advisor

• It’s time for housing to treat disability as a core priority, not an afterthought
  Emma Palmer, Chief Executive of Eastlight Community Homes Limited

4.30 pm – Audience Q&A Discussion 

5:00 pm – Close

At our popular events, you can:

• Watch and discover new extra care housing developments to find out about the design, development and operational management arrangements so that you can explore solutions that can transform your ‘offer’;
   
• Listen to the latest practice, research, new funding initiatives, innovative products or projects so that you have the insight and intelligence required to improve your service delivery;
   
• Learn about the current sector issues so that you are up-to-date and better positioned to respond to the latest policy and innovative operational developments; and
   
• Connect with industry experts and fellow Housing LIN members, exchange ideas, and share experiences in a relaxed setting.

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