Building a preventative culture December 2021 The following examples are extracted and condensed from the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission’s website. Examples – operation of the positive duty in the UK • Newcastle Council heard through engagement with constituents that there was a lack of public play equipment for children with disabilities and a lack of information about the location and types of play equipment suited to children with disabilities. The Council consulted with children, parents and carers, assessed local play areas and identified suitable sites for redevelopment, such as parks near hospitals. The Council identified benefits of this approach, including that previously, the Council had viewed equipment suitable for children with disabilities as being specialist and separate, but engagement made them re-think. As a result, the new equipment can be used by both disabled and non-disabled children, providing more choice for parents of children with disabilities and increasing interaction between disabled and non-disabled children.53 • Thames Valley Police had been found by the EHRC to utilise its powers to stop and search against black people six times more often than white people. In response, Thames Valley Police implemented an 18-month program which revised policy, instituted training and statistical monitoring. This led to a reduction in the disproportionate use of stop and search, with police finding they needed to use these powers less, and that this had no impact on crime levels, which continued to decline. The use of stop and search became better targeted based on intelligence, and police managers were able to identify and challenge officers that misused their powers.54 • Hampshire City Council was determining whether to adopt the national concession scheme for public transport or maintain arrangements set up by district councils, for those over 60 years old, and people with disabilities. To make an informed decision, the council assessed the equality impact of existing scheme options and consulted service users. Using this information, the council decided to provide the national scheme, with selected enhancements in order to better meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities.55 FREE AND EQUAL An Australian Conversation on Human Rights 67