Equalities Definitions

are assumptions made about your ability to do things or not do things?
are assumptions made about your attitude?
have your needs for dignity been taken into account?
is it assumed that you are a 'social service user' rather than a service user?

For more information about services supporting elderly and young service users or support networks contact: SIGNPOSTS on 0800 317220
www.somerset-health.org.uk/signposts

And in relation to receiving a service:

do you experience harassment including seeing offensive graffiti or discrimination as a result of your age (from staff or other service users)?
have you seen or heard offensive or negative images or language (stereotypes)?

The final two bullet points describe ageism or behaviour which is ageist. It may mean that an individual is being discriminatory or that the authority is acting in a discriminatory way as an 'institution'.

A definition of Institutional Discrimination (Based on Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office 1999)
The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate service to people because of their age. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and ageist stereotyping which disadvantage elderly and young people.

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Disability

Whatever your: disability and by this we mean

your sensory impairments whether sight, or hearing
the ways in which you communicate
physical impairments
mental health
learning difficulty
the barriers you face

The County Council promises to provide services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights.

For instance

do you need information in large print, braille, on tape, total communication?
will an interpreter be needed?
will an induction loop be needed?
will you need wheelchair access including disability toilets?
do you need the information in plain English or support with reading and writing?
do you need transport support?
would you like information about support networks and advocacy groups

For more information about services to people with Disabilities or support networks contact SIGNPOSTS on 0800 317220 www.somerset-health.org.uk/signposts

And in relation to receiving a service:

you experience harassment (including seeing offensive graffiti) or discrimination as a result of your disability (from staff or other service users)?
are you ignored, excluded or do people 'speak over the top of you'?
have you seen or heard offensive or negative images or language (stereotypes)?

The final three bullet points describe behaviour which discriminates. It may mean that an individual is being discriminatory or that the authority is acting in a discriminatory way as an 'institution'

A definition of Institutional Discrimination (Based on Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office 1999)
The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate service to people because of their disability. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and stereotyping 'the disabled' which disadvantages those people with disabilities.

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Gender

Whatever your: sex, gender, marital status, or caring responsibilities,
and by this we mean

whether you are a woman or a man, boy or a girl
masculine, feminine or transgendered
married, living with someone or alone
the fact that you care for young children or older people or those who need additional support
who you choose to live and be with;

The County Council promises to provide services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights.

For instance

would creche facilities or a play area help you access services?
do staff need to be more flexible about the times the services are offered or open?
have your needs for dignity and privacy been taken into account?
do you need disabled or push chair access for dependants?
are assumptions made about whether you have a partner (in forms or by staff)?
are assumptions made about who your partner might be (in forms or by staff)?
would you like information about support and advocacy groups?
are your safety needs taken into account (e.g. good lighting at night, dealing with threatening or intimidating behaviour)?
would you like information about support networks and advocacy groups ?

For more information about services to women, teenage girls, single parents or support networks contact
SIGNPOSTS on 0800 317220
www.somerset-health.org.uk/signposts

And in relation to receiving a service:

do you experience sexual or gender sexism, or discrimination including seeing offensive graffiti as a result of your gender(from staff or other service users
have you seen or heard offensive or negative images or language (stereotypes)?
are you ignored, excluded or do people 'speak over the top of you'?
The final three bullet points describe behaviour which discriminates. It may mean that an individual is being discriminatory or that the authority is acting in a discriminatory way as an 'institution'.
A definition ofInstitutional Discrimination (Based on Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office 1999)
The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate service to people because of their disability. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and stereotyping 'the disabled' which disadvantages those people with disabilities.

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Race

Whatever your: colour, ethnic or national origins, nationality, religion, beliefs and language
and by this we mean

where you come from;
where your past family or relations came from;
the colour of your skin;
your faith or beliefs;
your culture or life style
your language or accent

The County Council promises to provide services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights.

For instance

do you need the information in an alternative language or an interpreter?
do you need changes to enable you to observe special festivals?
are there rules that your family observe in relation to women and girls?
do the businesses that you work in or run operate outside of County Council 'normal' working hours?
does the service cater for your cultural and leisure needs?
what food do you prefer?
would you like information about support networks and racial equality groups?
Somerset County Council Services have access to 'Language Line' to support your language needs.

For more information about services to Black and ethnic minority communities and support networks contact SIGNPOSTS on 0800 317220
www.somerset-health.org.uk/signposts

And in relation to receiving a service:

do you experience racist abuse, harassment (including seeing offensive graffiti), racism or discrimination (from staff or other service users)?
have you seen or heard negative images or language (stereotypes

The final two bullet points describe racism or behaviour which is racist. It may mean that an individual is being discriminatory or that the authority is acting in a discriminatory way as an 'institution'.

A definition of Institutional Racism
( Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office 1999)
The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.

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Sexual Orientation

Whatever your: Sexual orientation or sexuality
and by this we mean

gay
lesbian
bisexual
heterosexual
who you choose to live and be with

The County Council promises to provide services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights.

For instance

have your needs for dignity and privacy been taken into account?
are assumptions made about whether you have a partner (in forms or by staff)?
are assumptions made about who your partner might be (in forms or by staff)?
would you like information about support and advocacy groups?
are your safety needs taken into account (e.g. good lighting at night, dealing with threatening or intimidating behaviour)?
would you like information about support networks and advocacy groups ?

For more information about services to Gay, Lesbian or Bi-sexuals or support networks contact:
SIGNPOSTS on 0800 317220
www.somerset-health.org.uk/signposts

And in relation to receiving a service:

do you experience homeophobic harassment including seeing offensive graffiti, homophobia or discrimination as a result of your sexual orientation (from staff or other service users)?
have you seen or heard offensive or negative images or language (stereotypes)?

The final two bullet points describe homophobia or behaviour which is homophobic. It may mean that an individual is being discriminatory or that the authority is acting in a discriminatory way as an 'institution'

A definition of Institutional Discrimination (Based on Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office 1999)

The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate service to people because of their sexuality. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and homophobic stereotyping which disadvantage gay, lesbians and bi-sexuals.

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Income & Social Background

Whatever your: social background, income or however you receive your income
and by this we mean

low income
no income,
unemployed,
work part-time,
have multiple jobs
receive benefits
seasonal worker
no fixed address

The County Council promises to provide services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights.

For instance

do you have difficulties in meeting any costs or fees?
does providing a fixed home address cause difficulties?
does the cost of transport prevent you from using services?
have your needs for dignity been taken into account?
would you like information about support networks and advocacy groups ?

For more information about services to those on low incomes and support networks contact: SIGNPOSTS on 0800 317220
www.somerset-health.org.uk/signposts

And in relation to receiving a service:

do you experience harassment including seeing offensive graffiti or discrimination as a result of your social background or low income
(from staff or other service users)?
have you seen or heard offensive or negative images or language (stereotypes)?

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Political or Trade Union Membership

Whatever your: political or trade union membership
and by this we mean

the political parties or unions you belong to
the political parties or unions you support
political or trade union activity

The County Council promises to provide services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights.

For instance

are assumptions made about your attitude or stance?

And in relation to receiving a service:

do you experience harassment including seeing offensive graffiti, victimisation or discrimination as a result of your political beliefs (from staff or other service users)?
have you seen or heard offensive or negative images or language (stereotypes)

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