The extension of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to education and training means that initial teacher training (ITT) providers must make sure that they do not discriminate against disabled applicants or trainees in their selection procedures, their requirements for progression and completion of training or their provision of services.

Under requirement 1.5 of ITT Requirements, providers must also ensure that all entrants to ITT have met the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach as detailed in Fitness to Teach for Employers and Initial Teacher Training Providers 2007 (Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)).

Able to Teach has been revised and updated, in 2007, to reflect significant changes to the DDA and the disability equality duty (DED). Providers need to be aware of how these new duties may affect their recruitment strategies. In order to meet the DED, providers need to actively promote their courses to people with disabilities.

Meeting these requirements means that, in some cases, providers have to make difficult and complex decisions about a person’s fitness to enter teacher training. The aim of this guidance is to show how, by analysing the concepts of disability, reasonable adjustment and fitness, on a case-by-case basis, providers can increase their confidence in making fair judgements about individuals. Copies of Able to Teach can be downloaded from the downloads panel in the right-hand margin.

For further information please visit http://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/pubs_guidance.html#200709ConductingEqualityImpactAssessments

Q16 of the qualified teacher status (QTS) standards refers to passing professional skills tests in numeracy, literacy and information communications technology (ICT).  There are special arrangements to support trainees with disabilities in passing the QTS skills test, as well as specific practice materials.