1. The Equality Strategy 2013-2016 TheEquality Strategy 2013-2016 for Leicestershire It explains what the Equality Strategy is, and tells you where you can get some more information. What is the Equality Strategy? This is an easy to read guide to the Equality Strategy forLeicestershire. The Equality Strategy helps staff at Leicestershire County Council to understand what they have to do to make their services fair to everyone. Is it Fair? Sometimes people are not treated fairly. The Equality Strategy will help us all to make sure that our services are fair.

2. Sometimes people are treated unfairly because of these reasons: • Because of their age • Because they have a disability • Because they are transgender – this is when people feel like they should be a different sex • Because they are married or not married • Because they are pregnant or have a baby • Because of their religion and their beliefs • Because of the colour of their skin, or Race • Because they are a boy, girl, man or woman – or sometimes it is called their Sex • Because they are straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. This means their sexuality. These reasons are sometimes called “protected characteristics”. There are 9 “protected characteristics”

3. We want everyone in Leicestershire to be treated fairly. The law helps us to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.The law is called “The Equality Act” LAW • There are 3 things that The Equality Act • says we must do. They are: • Stop people from being treated unfairly because of who they are. This may be because they are old, or because they have a different colour skin to somebody else. • 2) Make sure everyone has the same chance to do things. This means that everyone has the same opportunity to get or use services, apply for jobs and training, or work for the council . It is also about your rights as a person or human being. Equality Act

4. 3) Help people with a “protected characteristics” to make friends and have good relationships with each other. This will help them to feel better and they can share their experiences together. Will the Strategy make a difference to the services the Council provides? The Equality Strategy will help us to make sure our services meet the needs of everyone in Leicestershire. It will help people to understand why other people are different. We can help people from different countries to become friends. We will listen to anyone who is worried about the way they are being treated.

5. For more help and support, please contact us. Please remember some people will need support to understand this information. There is a lot more information about the Equality Strategy. If you would like to find out some more information about it, please let us know. If you need this information in a different version, such as large print, Braille, audiotape, or help in understanding it, you can contact us on these details: Telephone: 0116 305 5692 Fax: 0116 305 7271 Minicom: 0116 305 6048 E-mail: equality@leics.gov.uk This meets the Easywrite guidelines Go to www.ldicn.org.uk for more information We have used Change Picture banks go to www.changepeople.co.uk for more information