sure that our approach to the provision of written accessible information is clear, balanced, fair, transparent and accurate. The policy is aimed at managers and staff involved in, or who have any responsibility for, the provision of information. It also highlights that principles of accessible information apply when providing staff information. It gives an outline of the legislation and reinforces the commitments made within Section 75 Equality Schemes In developing the policy it was necessary to acknowledge that in theory all information that is provided to the public should be made accessible. However the quantity of information that is produced by our organisation on a daily basis and the fact that there are limited resources it is accepted that this is not possible or practical to do so. It is therefore necessary to ensure a robust decision making process is in place, for prioritising information provision. This needs to be reasoned and evidence based. The policy includes criteria for making documentation available in alternative formats. This is based on the premise that within limited resources we need to decide priorities that have the most impact for service users. In summary the priorities include: Corporate Service Related Target Audience Reasonable alternatives (The policy details the criteria) Within the priority areas as identified in the policy where it is more effective, cost efficient or timely to do so we will ensure a reasonable alternative is provided. Examples could include: Providing information face to face; Providing information by telephone or an interpreter; Providing summaries. 1.3 (internal and external) trial
Article 7 – Right to freedom from retrospective criminal law & no punishment without law Article 8 – to respect for private & family life, home and correspondence. Yes Article 9 – Right to freedom of thought, conscience & religion Article 10 – Right to freedom of expression Article 11 – to freedom of assembly & association Article 12 – Right to marry & found a family Article 14 – Prohibition of discrimination in the enjoyment of the convention rights 1st protocol Article 1 – Right to a peaceful enjoyment of possessions & protection of property 1st protocol Article 2 – Right of access to education If you have answered no to all of the above please move onto to move on to Question 6 on monitoring 5.2 If you have answered yes to any of the Articles in 5.1, does the policy or decision interfere with any of these rights? If so, what is the interference and who does it impact upon? List the Article Number Interfered with? Yes/No What is the interference and who does it impact upon? Does this raise any legal issues?* Yes/No Article 8 No its intent is positive promotion of Human Rights where access to information and correspondence is highlighted in Article 8
* It is important to speak to your line manager on this and if necessary seek legal opinion to clarify this 5.3 Outline any actions could be taken to promote or raise awareness of human rights or to ensure compliance with the legislation in relation to the policy or decision. Through implementation and monitoring arrangements Monitoring 6.1 What data will you collect in the future in order to monitor the effect of the policy or decision on any of the categories (for equality of opportunity and good relations, disability duties and human rights? Equality & Good Relations Disability Duties Human Rights On-going uptake of the policy. Range and type of information formats requests. Evidence of responses Range and type of information formats requests specifically for people with physical and sensory impairments Evidence of responses monitoring Approved Lead Officer: Maurice Atkinson Position: Director of Corporate Services Date: 11 August 2015