Equality legislation & Equality Impact Assessment: FOI release

Information requested

1. Was an Equality Impact Assessment completed on this document, as is required by the legislation to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not discriminated against?
If so, what was the outcome of the assessment?
2. Can you explain how section 1 on page 12 of Learning and Teaching Online complies with the Equality legislation?
Related to Education Scotland’s document Learning and Teaching Online:
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/delivering-learning-and-teachingonline/

Response

1. The document is a user guide and focuses on tools that are available through Glow. An Equality Impact Assessment was not done on the document.

2. The user guide outlines the availability of the tools within Glow, not that any one specific tool should or should not be used. It is stated in the user guide that local authorities are developing their own guidance around the use of live video and we would expect them to develop strategies to meet the needs of the different learners with different protected characteristics in their establishments. Local authorities, schools and practitioners will be aware of the needs of their learners and they are, of course, required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure equality of access for all their pupils. Indeed, the document itself in section 5 does mention accessibility, reminding practitioners that “prior to sharing any content, it is worth considering format and design of your materials to ensure accessibility for all”.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.