Norwegian laws

The new Act relating to the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of disability (the Anti- Discrimination and Accessibility Act) was adopted by The Norwegian National Assembly on 17 June 2008. It will enter into force on 1 January 2009.

The objectives of the Act are to promote equality, ensure equal opportunities and rights and prevent discrimination on the basis of disability. It is intended to help dismantle disabling barriers created by society and to prevent new ones from being created.

The Act is to apply in all areas of society, including in working life. Direct and indirect discrimination is to be forbidden. It also stipulates a prohibition against harassment and against giving instructions to discriminate, harass or make use of reprisals, as well as a prohibition against contributing to discrimination.

In order to ensure that a person who complains of a breach of the Act’s prohibitions is not made subject to negative reactions, a prohibition against reprisals is also introduced in the Act. A duty of general accommodation (universal design) and individual accommodation is introduced, as is a special duty to make accommodations in some selected areas of society.

Read the complete text, and the summary of the Government’s proposal in Proposition to the Odelstinget No. 44 (2007-2008).