The changes come as part of the final part of the discrimination law which already protects people being judged on race, sex and age.
This final stage requires a change in attitudes surrounding disability, as well as physical changes in work premises and service providers – at the cost to the business – so they are accessible to all islanders.
It is estimated that around 14% of Jersey’s population – approximatively 14,000 islanders – live with a disability according to the Disability Strategy launched by the Chief Minister in May 2017. It also identified that around 35,000 people live with a sensory, physical or mental impairment which affects everyday tasks. That number is expected to grow as the island prepares for an ageing population in future.
To help businesses understand the practical obligations arising from the new law, Law At Work (LAW) will be discussing need-to-know points and accessibility during the Breakfast Briefing. Another speaker will discuss how businesses in the UK have adapted to the discrimination law, which has been enforced for over 20 years.
Pictured: Duncan de Gruchy, LAW Associate Director.
Duncan de Gruchy, LAW Associate Director, added: “Ant Lewis will also give what I believe will be an interesting talk, on his life with disability.”
Mr De Gruchy added: “It is obviously a huge subject so we can only give a very brief overview and discuss the different models.
“Each speaker will have around 30 mins to speak and we are hoping to do a Q&A at the end. This also should be quite interesting as there should be a lot of questions coming out of this.”