chapter five: disability equality impact assessment
Background
5.1 Equality Impact Assessment ( EQIA) is a tool for mainstreaming. It is a mechanism for the thorough and systematic analysis of a policy, to be used at the time of reviewing an existing policy, changing an existing policy or developing a new policy. The primary function of the EQIA is to determine the extent of differential impact upon the relevant groups, and in turn whether that impact is adverse, i.e. whether it has a negative impact on groups or individuals in relation to one or more of the equality strands. The equality strands are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Race
- Religion or Belief
- Sexual Orientation
The Scottish Executive's approach to EQIA
5.2 The Scottish Executive's approach to EQIA covers all six equality strands. If it is decided that the policy could fail to meet the needs of specific groups or has discriminatory outcomes, the policy developer must consider alternatives. These alternatives should consider ways in which the policy can more effectively achieve the promotion of equality of opportunity or any measures that should be employed to mitigate the adverse impact.
5.3 An EQIA will be considered for the full range of the Executive's activities, strategies, functions, policies, legislation and processes.
5.4 Our EQIA was developed in-house and benefited from discussions with external organisations with knowledge of equality impact assessment methods including the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equality Network and others.
The Scottish Executive's EQIA toolkit, guidance and training
5.5 We have developed an EQIA toolkit and associated guidance which is available online through the Scottish Executive's intranet. What this means is that the toolkit and guidance are available to all staff on their desktop computers.
5.6 A full programme of briefing on the public equality duties and on EQIA is being delivered to support the roll out of the EQIA process. This programme started in June 2006 and is ongoing. It is being delivered on a departmental basis to small groups of officials from across a range of civil service grades. The aim is to ensure that all Scottish Executive Divisions have staff briefed in use of the EQIA.
5.7 The Scottish Executive's EQIA looks at four key areas. These are:
1. Policy - a clear definition of the policy and its aims;
2. Collecting evidence and engagement with equality groups;
3. Differential Impact - reaching an informed decision on whether or not there is a differential impact on equality groups, at what level and what you will do to address any adverse impact;
4. Measuring outcomes - stating methods for monitoring and evaluating the policy to ensure that it is continuing to achieve the expected outcomes for all groups.
5.8 To help deliver this, the Executive's EQIA includes the following 10 step process:
Step 1 | Define the aims of your policy |
Step 2 | What do you already know about the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience? |
Step 3 | What else do you need to know to help you understand the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience? |
Step 4 | What does the information you have tell you about how this policy might impact positively or negatively on the different groups within the target audience? |
Step 5 | Will you be making any changes to your policy? |
Step 6 | Does your policy provide the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity or good relations? |
Step 7 | Based on the work you have done - rate the level of relevance of your policy - HIGH, MEDIUM OR LOW |
Step 8 | Do you need to carry out a further impact assessment? |
Step 9 | Please explain how you will monitor and evaluate this policy to measure progress |
Step 10 | Sign off and publish impact assessment |
5.9 Guidance is available at each step and staff must complete the relevant sections of an online database which has been set up to record this process. The Scottish Executive's EQIA toolkit and guidance are available online at the people and society, equality pages on the Executive's website. A link to this website is attached in the Annex.
5.10 Our EQIA and guidance require policy makers to be proactive and look at how they promote equality of opportunity, including the opportunity to encourage participation in public life, promote positive attitudes towards groups of individuals or promote good relations between different groups of individuals may be clear and obvious.