What is now the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 was announced in the Queen's Speech at the opening of Parliament on 23rd November 2004 (see Bills before Parliament/Archive (2002 onwards)/2004 Queen's Speech ).

In general the Act is not concerned with employees or workers as such - they are already protected by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Rather it is designed to implement mainly non-employment related proposals outlined in the 2001 Towards Inclusion consultation document, such as changes affecting public sector responsibilities to the general public, transport, renting of premises and a provision for membership of larger private clubs - 25 or more members - to be covered by the DDA 1995.

However the Act does include some important changes relevant to the employment field such as a change to the rules about discriminatory job advertisements (see notes at Disability Discrimination/advertisements ) and a widening of the definition of disability to benefit those with HIV Aids, cancer or multiple sclerosis (MS) - see notes at Disability Discrimination/meaning of disability . Importantly, the Act provides for people with mental illnesses to be protected in the same way as anyone else by removing the requirement that their condition be clinically well-recognised.

The Act is quite separate from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 SI 2003/1673 which came into force on 1st October 2004 and are very much concerned with the rights of employees and workers (see notes at Disability Discrimination/2003 Amendment Regulations ).

See also notes at Disability Discrimination/2003 changes - background notes and/or Disability Discrimination/Disability Discrimination Act 1995/meaning of disability .