General actions for HEIs ahead of the Equality Act 2010

Update your policies and procedures

• Ensure the key changes are reflected in current policies and procedures.
• Update references to previous legislation (for example DDA, SENDA, SDA, RRAA, Equality Act 2006) but note that some parts of previous legislation will still be in force. Page 234 of the Equality Act 2010 highlights which areas of previous legislation have been repealed.
  
• If referring to external guidance that has not been updated, provide a note that legislation has changed.

Communicate the changes

• Assess which training sessions and materials need to be reviewed and updated in line with the key changes.
• Revise the institution's statement of commitment to tackle all forms of discrimination to include all protected characteristics and prohibited conduct.
• Produce a plan for identifying and meeting the information needs of governors, committees, managers, staff and students, trade unions and students' unions in line with the key changes
  
• Review present arrangements for informing staff, students and visitors of their equality rights and responsibilities in light of the key changes.
• Revise relevant university documentation (hard copy or web-based) to ensure that it covers the changes in the legislation.