Guidance for small and medium size businesses

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published easy to understand guidance for businesses on how to avoid discrimination and ensure respect for human rights. The aim of the guide is to help smaller businesses acquire understanding of anti-discrimination provisions under the Equality Act 2010 and the human rights law, and gain practical knowledge of how to manage important business challenges and dilemmas.

The guide is available on the Commission's website.

Funding for LGB&T organisations

Do you run a voluntary or community organisation working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) persons and you struggle to source adequate funding?

The Consortium of LGB&T Voluntary and Community Organisations have developed a LGB&T funder finder, which you can use to search for current non-statutory funding opportunities and funders which have a history of funding LGB&T services.

For more information visit the Consortium's website at: http://www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/funderfinder.

Fulfilling potential of disabled people

The Government has published a detailed analytical study with an aim of raising public understanding of disability and the issues faced by disabled people. The study provides information about the number of disabled people in Great Britain, some interesting facts about their contribution to our economy and society, how disability can develop and change over the course of life and what issues disabled people face in their lives. To access the report, please visit the Office for Disability Issues website.

Trans Mental Health Study 2012

A study has been undertaken into trans people's mental health needs and experiences, and how the transitioning process (whether social or medical) has an impact on mental health and wellbeing. It investigates the factors which influence trans mental health and wellbeing. The study is useful for public bodies and other service providers which want to deepen their understanding of the mental health needs of trans people and improve services for trans people with mental health problems. The full study can be accessed via the Scottish Transgender Alliance website. 

Racist, religious and disability hate crime - school project

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), as part of its Schools Project, has designed a set of resources that can be used by teachers to explore the issues of Disability as well as Racist and Religious Hate Crime.

The Disability Hate Crime pack includes planned lesson(s) for pupils in Key Stage 3 or Key Stage 4 to help them understand the impact of disability hate crime on victims and offenders and the legal and moral issues connected with the this type of crime.

The Racist and Religious Hate Crime pack assists teachers in teaching pupils in key stages 2, 3 and 4 about the impacts of behaviours based on racial and religious prejudice on the victims and the perpetrators as well as the legal and moral implications of Racist and Religious Hate Crime. 

The resources on Disability Hate Crime and Racist and Religious Hate Crime are available on the CPS website.

Safety and disability - your views

If you are a disabled person or a carer of a disabled person, we'd like to know your views on crime and anti-social behaviour in your area.

We'd like to ask a few questions about your experiences. It will only take a few minutes of your time and we'd really value your views.

All answers will be anonymous. The information will be used by the Safer Portsmouth Partnership, which includes the council, to shape and improve services. Please email equalities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9283 4789.

Workplace solutions for disabled people and business

The Equality & Human Rights Commission has published 'The perfect partnership - workplace solutions for disabled people and business' as part of the 'Working Better' series. The report looks at how disabled people can be supported with their ambitions and career development. It offers some sound, simple and low cost solutions for employers to open up work more effectively to disabled people and how to make the most of the abilities and potential of disabled employees. The report is available on the Commission's website.

Home care and human rights

The Equality & Human Rights Commission has launched a guide for older people, their families and friends, 'Your home care and human rights', which deals with reasonable expectations that older people can have about the home care they receive, their legal rights when using home care and what action older people, their families and friends can take if they are not satisfied with the home care they or their loved ones are provided with. The aim of the guide to raise awareness amongst older people of their entitlement to home care service which respects their human rights and what they can do to ensure those rights are not violated. The report is available on the Commission's website.

Public sector equality duty guidance for Schools in England

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has released a guidance specific to schools in England on how to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). The guidance explains what the PSED means for schools, how it helps schools address issues and improve teaching and learning.

The guidance can be accessed via the Commission's website.

The higher education guide for disabled people

'Into higher education 2013 - the higher education guide for disabled people' has been published by Disability Rights UK to help disabled students make decisions about the accessibility of the college of university, suitable courses and what support they might expect. The guide also provides information on the new student finance system, tuition fees, repayment methods, and the support that will be available for 2013 entry. To view the guide, please visit the Disability Right UK website.

How equality law protects students in further or higher education

The guidance titled 'What equality law means for you as a student in further or higher education' has been developed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

It sets out what rights students in further or higher education have under the equality law and what action students can take if they have experienced discrimination, harassment of victimisation.

The guidance is available on the Commission's website.