Equality and diversity

Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all people within our community. We have published a range of policies and reports which show how we are meeting our legal duties.

Everyone should have the same chances to do what they can but some people may need extra help. The Equality Act 2010 intends to make Britain a fairer and equal place for everyone.  We have a duty to:

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • promote equality of opportunity
  • foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Our equality outcomes and associated actions are based on views and experiences that local people have shared with us. There are a number of documents which explain how we build equality into our work:

Past reports

Monitoring equality

Equality monitoring helps us comply with legislation.

We routinely monitor equality and diversity information, for example as part of forms and surveys. All answers are confidential and help us to continually improve our services and ensure that we get them right.

Impact assessments

We assess whether the decisions we make are likely to impact on different groups of people across the region. The results of our impact assessments should highlight any barriers or discrimination that might affect people using our services.

British Sign Language (BSL)

We have developed a shared British Sign Language (BSL) Plan for Dumfries and Galloway in partnership with NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Police Scotland V Division and Dumfries and Galloway College.  This plan sets out how we will promote and support BSL in Dumfries and Galloway.

Deaf BSL users can contact us through Contact Scotland BSL who provide a free online BSL interpreting video relay service (VRS) 24/7.  The deaf BSL user must be registered with Contact Scotland BSL and have the app downloaded to their device.  This service can also be used to contact GP's, workplaces and of course family and friends.

Recite Me Web Accessibility and Language Toolbar

To ensure our website is both accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible we have included the Recite Me toolbar that lets visitors to our website view and use it in the way that works best for them.

Recite Me helps the one in five people in the UK who have a disability, including those with conditions like sight loss and dyslexia to access our website in the way that suits them best.  It also meets the needs of one in ten people in the UK who don't speak English as their first language, by being able to translate our web content into over 100 different languages.

To find out more and how to use Recite Me, please click here

Further information

We are part of the Community Planning partnership in Dumfries and Galloway along with representatives from a wide range of partners, including representatives from:

We work with our partners to challenge the barriers that people face arising from discrimination and disadvantage in line with 9 protected characteristics:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

Find out more about the Partnership's equality and diversity work

Page last updated: 07/12/2023
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