Equality and human rights

Over the past 40 years, over 100 pieces of legislation and statutory instruments have been enacted in order to promote equality in our society.

The regulations placed upon public bodies in Scotland are designed to help organisations demonstrate how they are taking steps to meet the general equality duty (Equality Act 2010). That is to pay due regard to the need to: reduce unlawful discrimination; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations between different groups. The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 sets out further requirements on public bodies in Scotland to assist them to demonstrate performance of the general equality duty.

The Council is committed to working with its community planning partners through the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan. This shared ten-year plan brings together the efforts of many partners to address inequalities, both in East Dunbartonshire as a whole and in neighbourhoods that experience greater inequality.

Our shared vision is that we are Working together to achieve the best with the people of East Dunbartonshire. Our shared goals for 2027 focus on:

• Economic recovery and growth
• Employment and skills
• Children and young people’s wellbeing
• Safer and stronger communities
• Adult health and wellbeing
• Older adults, vulnerable people and carers.

For each of the 2027 goals there is a multi-agency group that works together to plan and deliver improvements, informing and involving all stakeholders wherever possible. The Council and its community planning partners are also committed to underpinning everything they do with the principle of fairness and equity. We recognise that equality isn’t about treating people the same. It means everyone’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on the way they were born or the characteristics they identify with. Equitable services are those that take the interests, needs and priorities of everyone into consideration, recognising the diversity of different groups.

The Council strives to ensure that this is paramount when planning and delivering all services. Tools for impact assessment of policies, plans and strategies are in place to ensure that we make informed decisions. The Council also works with East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action regularly to improve how voluntary and community organisations are engaged and involved in public services, strengthening the voice of communities of place and of interest.

The Council has been actively supporting Gaelic learning in the area for over 25 years. As a local authority which serves a diverse community, we are committed to developing and supporting our Gaelic-speaking population, learners and parents. Our draft Gaelic Plan for 2023 - 2028 is now available in both English and Gaelic and is prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, sets out how we will use Gaelic in the operation of our functions, how we will enable the use of Gaelic when communicating with the public and partners and how we will develop Gaelic.

Draft Gaelic Language Plan 2023 - 2028 in English

Draft Gaelic Language Plan 2023 - 2028 in Gaelic

Useful links

Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Comann nam Parant Website
Feisean nan Gaidheal Website
LearnGaelic Website
Gaelic education at Meadowburn Primary School

On 24 October 2017, the Scottish Government published the BSL National Plan. This plan will be in place until 2023. The plan has 10 long-term goals and 70 actions. The BSL National Plan was written with BSL users across Scotland.

The East Dunbartonshire BSL Plan will be in place from October 2018 to October 2024. It shares the same 10 long-term goals with the BSL National Plan. This plan contains a range of actions we will take to make the goals happen. The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 has two main aims for East Dunbartonshire Council. These are:

• To improve communication and access to services for people who use BSL in East Dunbartonshire
• To promote the use of and understanding of BSL across the Council area.

East Dunbartonshire Council is committed to improving the experience of all residents and visitors to our area, including those with specific access needs. If you have an access requirement and would like more information before travelling, check out our access guides on AccessAble(link is external). We are working with AccessAble (formerly known as DisabledGo) to provide free, objective and comprehensive access information for local venues. Information is checked with venue owners/managers on an annual basis. You can also download a new AccessAble app for easier use on mobile devices.

Access information covers: toilets; car parking; lifts; steps; changing areas; lighting; staff training and more. All of the places that are listed have been visited by an accredited surveyor who has recorded information and photos on site.

If you cannot find the access information you are looking for and it concerns a Council owned property, contact us on: customerservices@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or complete our general enquiry form.

You can call our Customer Services team on 0300 123 4510 - Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. For out of hours emergencies please call 0300 123 4510 and follow instructions.

The Council is firmly committed to promoting children’s rights as set out by the Scottish Government. All children in Scotland have rights, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or language abilities, regardless of who they are, where they live or any other status. There are no conditions attached and nobody has the power to give them or take them away.

Children and young people have rights under the Human Rights Act 1998, but they also have rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC):

Child-friendly and Easy Read 2022 State of Children's Rights reports | Together Scotland

The UNCRC brings together children and young people’s human rights, up to the age of 18, into one international Convention. It has 54 articles covering three themes: Protection, Provision and Participation rights.

These rights are the things that are important to make sure children and young people:

• Are safe
• Are not discriminated against
• Have their best interests protected
• Have the things they need to survive and develop
• Have a say in decisions that affect their lives.

Additional reading:

UNCRC Articles Archive - The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland 
UNCRC | The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland 
Children's Rights and the UNCRC in Scotland: An Introduction 
Children 1st
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child | Together Scotland
UNCRC Scotland - YouTube

For further information about anything on this page please contact the Equalities Officer on equality@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or by phoning 0300 123 4510 extension 3084.