New equality guidance for charities

Equality legislation requires service providers, including charities, not to discriminate on certain grounds when they provide services to the public.  There are, however, some exceptions for charities which allow them to be established or operate for the benefit of certain groups of people, and not others.

The equality guidance for charities which was developed with the assistance of the Equality Commission and was consulted on earlier this year, provides an overview of these key aspects of equality legislation. 

Frances McCandless, Chief Executive of the Commission, commented:

“Our guidance covers the often complex intersection between charity and equality law, providing information on key issues, including what exceptions apply to charities and what is and isn’t acceptable under the law.”

For more information and background including the consultation report, please the Commission’s closed consultations webpage