Introduction

The Disability Discrimination Act

is a law that aims to protect disabled people and promote equality of access to services, employment and education.

It says that disabled people must be treated fairly and not be discriminated against at work, when they go to school, college or university and that public places such as library, hospitals and shops, should make it easier for disabled people to use them.

In 2010 it was replaced by the Equality Act, except in Northern Ireland where the Disability Discrimination Act still applies.

The law is about treating disabled people fairly. Sometimes in order to do this and to give everyone the same opportunity you have to do things differently.

The law placed a responsibility on employers and service providers to make changes to support disabled people to do their job or use their services these changes are called “reasonable adjustments” and they help disabled people to access work, shops, transport and education.

Reasonable adjustments could include building a ramp so that wheelchair users can get into the building, providing information in larger print so that people with sight impairments can read it or allowing someone to work flexible hours so that they can work around their pain or mental health.

Artists from Venture Arts have created textile shops. These shops show the types of places that disabled people should be able to access under the Disability Discrimination Act.

 

Red background and floor created in cardboard covered in fabric creates the base for 10 hand stitched modes of transport. This includes a red coach, a black aeroplane, a black boat, a blue car, a green car, a black steam train, a black bicycle, a person with short black hair wearing a red top and blue trousers, a blue and black helicopter. The modes of transport are mounted on wide and stick up from the red base. Behind the modes of transport is a hand stitched sign with black font reading Andrews Transport Museum on a white background with blue border.

Andrew’s Transport Museum – Andrew Johnstone

A shoebox sized box has been covered in purple sequined base and side walls with a gold background the box is stood horizontally with the front open. There is a large silver sequined circle hanging from the centre top of the box as a mirror ball. attached to the purple sequined floor are five hand stitched disco dancers. all the dancers have black afros. The left hand dancer is a man with sunglasses on, a gold shirt, red flares and purple platforms his arms are both on his hips. The next dancer is a black woman with a purple short sleeved top, long orange skirt and pink heels, she is holding her right arm in the air. The third dancer is smaller and is in the background of the scene his is bent on one knee wearing a purple leotard, pink tights and orange shoes. The fourth dancer is also smaller and in the background of the scene she is wearing a purple jump-suit with orange high heels, she is lunging with her right arm in the air. The final dancer is a woman wearing a gold hat over her afro a green dress with purple shoes, her legs are crossed and her right arm is in the air. Above the box is a banner that says ‘The Disco Dancing 70s Club’ this is stitched onto a white background and is bordered with purple sequined fabric.

Leslie’s Disco – Leslie Thompson

This is a shoebox shaped box that is displayed horizontally it is covered in maroon velvet fabric. the box has a front to it with a window and door cut out of it. There is a light pink velvet door which is open. Inside the winder are handstitched hairdressing tools, there is a pair of scissors, a hair dryer and a comp. There is an awning which is striped in different shades of pink and maroon. above the shop is a banner which reads in hand stitched letters Christine’s Hairdressers. There are four hand stitched hair dryers attached to the top of the box with wires

Christine’s Hairdressers – Christine Blackburn