Equality and human rights mainstreaming: equality impact assessment

Annex A: Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Toolkit

Title of policy: Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Toolkit

Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights

Division: Mainstreaming & Inclusion Division

Team: Mainstreaming Delivery Team

Policy Overview

This EQIA assesses the impact of the Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Toolkit on public sector staff who will, if they choose to, use it as a professional resource. The toolkit is a web-based platform providing curated information, templates, and resources to support equality and human rights professionals, policy developers, HR staff, and managers across Scotland's public sector.

Summary

The Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Toolkit significantly enhances the positive impacts identified in the main Strategy EQIA by ensuring that public sector staff have accessible, high-quality resources to effectively implement equality and human rights mainstreaming. The toolkit's systematic approach to resource curation, with minimum accessibility standards and quality ratings, means that staff across Scotland's public sector will have consistent access to evidence-based information that supports them in delivering better outcomes for people with protected characteristics.

The toolkit's accessibility features, including WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, plain English content, and multi-format resource availability, remove barriers that might otherwise prevent some public sector staff from accessing professional development in equality and human rights. This is particularly important given the Strategy's emphasis on building capability across the public sector workforce. When staff can easily access and understand equality information, they are better equipped to mainstream equality considerations into their day-to-day work, directly benefiting the communities they serve.

Furthermore, the toolkit's structure - offering Foundation, Development, and Advanced level resources - supports the Strategy's objective of meeting organisations where they are in their equality journey while providing clear pathways for progression. This targeted approach ensures that the positive impacts identified in the Strategy can be realised more effectively, as staff receive information appropriate to their level of experience and organisational context, ultimately leading to more sustainable and embedded equality practices that benefit people with protected characteristics across Scotland.

The toolkit's comprehensive accessibility approach further strengthens these positive impacts by ensuring that public sector staff themselves can effectively access and use the resources needed to implement equality and human rights mainstreaming. Through WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, plain English content, ReciteMe toolbar functionality, and systematic accessibility rating of all curated resources, the toolkit removes barriers that might otherwise prevent some staff from accessing professional development opportunities. The toolkit has been tested with disabled users who use assistive technology to ensure real-world accessibility and all identified accessibility issues have been resolved. This creates a reinforcing cycle where accessible tools enable staff to better serve people with protected characteristics, while the toolkit itself models inclusive design principles that staff can apply in their own work.

Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

Development and engagement process

The toolkit was developed through an extensive collaborative process that prioritised accessibility and inclusion from the outset:

• Co-production approach: The toolkit was developed through collaborative approach led by the Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Toolkit Working Group. The Working Group brought together expertise from across Scotland's equality and human rights landscape, with membership drawn from Scottish Government, local authorities, public bodies, and the third sector.
• Extensive consultation process: Public consultation ran from October 2024 to February 2025, receiving 123 responses from individuals and organisations. Key findings included strong support (69%) for the need for a cross-public sector toolkit, with accessibility consistently emphasised by respondents. Consultation feedback specifically called for "accessible design principles, such as using plain English, Easy Read, audiovisual and other disability-friendly formats" and noted the need for resources to be in "an accessible location, such as an easy-to-navigate website."
• Lived experience integration: The toolkit development was informed by lived experience of equality and human rights issues through the Scottish Government's Lived Experience Board, which produced 14 reports between 2022-24 providing personal accounts and recommendations. These reports directly informed the development of the assessment framework for evaluating which resources to include in the toolkit, ensuring that lived experience perspectives shaped the tool's accessibility approach.
• Evidence-based resource assessment: A systematic assessment framework was developed requiring all curated resources to achieve minimum 3/5 accessibility ratings. The framework evaluates resources on practical application, lived experience integration, accessibility and usability, and accountability and measurement, ensuring only accessible resources are included.
• Accessibility testing and validation
• User testing with disabled people: all accessibility issues have been resolved
• Technical accessibility validation: all accessibility issues have been resolved
• Workplace compatibility assessment: all accessibility issues have been resolved

Evidence gathered and strength/quality of evidence

Age:

• Consultation responses represented diverse professional experience levels, from early-career to senior practitioners
• Evidence showed need for resources serving both "newcomers to equality work and experienced practitioners"
• 123 consultation responses indicated engagement across professional age demographics
• Feedback emphasised need for "easy and intuitive" design that works for users with varying levels of digital confidence

Disability:

• Systematic evidence from consultation showed accessibility was "emphasised by several respondents" as essential
• Strong evidence base for accessibility requirements: consultation responses "consistently emphasised accessibility" with specific calls for "accessible design principles"
• Assessment framework provides documented evidence of 3/5 minimum accessibility rating requirement for all resources

Race:

• Consultation feedback included calls for resources addressing "different protected characteristics or intersectionality"
• Evidence from development process shows ReciteMe toolbar translation capabilities address language access needs
• Assessment framework includes "lived experience integration" criterion ensuring diverse perspectives are represented

Sex and Pregnancy/Maternity:

• Web-based platform design enables flexible access around caring responsibilities
• Evidence from public sector workforce data showing women's higher representation in caring roles supports flexible access benefits

Other characteristics:

• Evidence from consultation process shows engagement across diverse public sector professional contexts
• Working Group membership included representation from multiple sectors and geographic areas

Impacts and actions

Age

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Multi-level resource structure: The Foundation, Development, and Advanced level framework ensures that both early-career professionals and experienced practitioners can access appropriate information, helping to further career development across age groups.

Flexible learning approach: The self-paced, web-based format accommodates different learning preferences, benefiting both younger staff who may prefer digital resources and older professionals who may need more time to engage with new concepts.

Downloadable resources: Content can be downloaded and printed, providing offline access options that may be preferred by some older professionals who are more comfortable with traditional formats.

Potential negative impact:

Digital confidence barriers: Some older staff may be less confident with digital platforms or may require additional support to access interactive features, potentially limiting their professional development opportunities.

Mitigation: Resources can be downloaded and printed for offline use, enabling less digitally confident users to access content in their preferred format without requiring platform navigation skills.

Fostering good relations between people of different ages - positive impact:

Intergenerational knowledge sharing: The toolkit includes information on mentoring and knowledge sharing approaches, as evidenced in case studies like "SQA Young Talent Strategy" which demonstrates "mentoring programmes pairing young colleagues with experienced staff," fostering collaboration across age groups in equality work.

Disability

Eliminating unlawful discrimination - positive impact:

Legal accessibility compliance: WCAG 2.1 AA compliance ensures the platform meets mandatory accessibility requirements, eliminating discrimination against disabled staff accessing professional development resources.

Systematic accessibility standards: All curated resources rated minimum 3/5 for accessibility ensures disabled staff can access the same quality information as non-disabled colleagues.

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Multiple access methods: Combination of screen reader compatibility, ReciteMe toolbar features (text-to-speech, magnification), and plain English design provides multiple ways to access information, particularly benefiting staff with visual impairments, dyslexia, or cognitive disabilities.

User testing approach: Testing with disabled users ensures the toolkit meets real accessibility needs rather than assumptions.

Potential negative impact:

Technical workplace barriers: Staff using older workplace technology or restrictive IT policies may experience difficulties accessing certain platform features.

Variable external resource quality: While minimum standards apply, some curated external resources may have variable accessibility features.

Mitigation: Provide mechanisms for accessibility issues.

Fostering good relations between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not - positive impact:

Inclusive case studies: The toolkit includes examples like the "SQA reasonable adjustments passport" which demonstrates how simple tools can create "significant cultural change" and shows non-disabled staff how to better support disabled colleagues, fostering better workplace relationships.

Accessibility awareness: By requiring all users to engage with accessible design principles, the toolkit raises awareness of disability issues among all staff, promoting understanding and inclusive practices.

Race

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Language accessibility: ReciteMe toolbar translation services support staff whose first language is not English, ensuring equal access to professional development.

Plain English approach: Reduces complex jargon and makes content more accessible to staff from diverse linguistic backgrounds working in equality roles.

Inclusive resource representation: Assessment framework prioritising lived experience integration encourages inclusion of resources reflecting diverse cultural perspectives relevant to professional practice.

Fostering good relations between people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds - positive impact:

Intersectional case studies: The toolkit includes examples like "SDS Intersectional Consultation Example" which demonstrates "broader discussion on intersectionality" and shows how to conduct "mixed consultation sessions with partners from different equality groups," promoting understanding across racial and ethnic differences in professional practice.

Cultural competence development: Access to information on race equality helps all professionals develop competence in working across diverse communities, fostering better inter-ethnic understanding in workplace settings.

Sex

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Flexible access arrangements: 24/7 web-based access particularly benefits staff (predominantly women) with caring responsibilities, allowing professional development around family commitments.

Remote accessibility: Platform design supports staff who may be working flexibly or part-time, ensuring equal access to career development resources.

Fostering good relations between people of different sexes - positive impact:

Work-life balance awareness: The toolkit's flexible design and case studies demonstrate understanding of different work patterns and caring responsibilities, promoting awareness of gendered challenges and fostering supportive workplace relationships.

Pregnancy and maternity

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Continuity during leave: Web-based access enables staff on maternity leave to maintain professional development and stay updated with equality information, supporting career continuity.

Flexible engagement: Self-directed format allows engagement around medical appointments, childcare needs, and varying energy levels during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Sexual orientation and gender reassignment

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Anonymous access: Web-based format allows staff to access LGBTI+-related professional resources without disclosure requirements, supporting those who may not be 'out' in their workplace.

Professional competence development: Access to inclusive resources supports all staff in developing competence in equality work, regardless of their own identity.

Fostering good relations - positive impact:

LGBTI+ competence building: The toolkit provides access to resources that help all staff understand LGBTI+ issues, promoting better workplace relationships and reducing prejudice through education and awareness.

Religion or belief

Advancing equality of opportunity - positive impact:

Flexible access timing: 24/7 availability allows staff to engage with professional development around religious observances and practices.

Inclusive content approach: Resource curation framework allows prioritisation of materials demonstrating understanding of diverse faith perspectives relevant to human rights work.

Fostering good relations between people of different religious and belief backgrounds - positive impact:

Interfaith competence: The toolkit includes information on religion and belief equality that helps professionals understand different faith perspectives, promoting better interfaith understanding and respectful workplace relationships.

Other considerations

Socioeconomic factors - positive impact:

Free professional development: Web-based toolkit provides free access to high-quality professional development resources, particularly benefiting staff in smaller public bodies with limited training budgets.

Rural/remote locations - positive impact:

Geographic accessibility: Online platform eliminates travel barriers for staff in remote locations who might otherwise struggle to access professional development opportunities. The toolkit incorporates low-bandwidth optimisation and caching mechanisms to ensure accessibility in areas with limited digital connectivity, addressing the specific connectivity challenges faced by remote public sector workplaces.