When
do the DDA requirements have to be implemented?
The Act was introduced
in three stages;
Since December 1996
treating a disabled person less favourably
because they are disabled has been unlawful.
Since October 1999,
service providers have had to consider
making reasonable adjustments to the way
they deliver their services so that disabled
people can use them.
The final stage of the duties, which
means service providers may have to consider
making permanent physical adjustments
to their premises, comes into force in
2004.
Note: The Act defines a disabled person
as someone with "a physical or mental
impairment that has a substantial and long-term
adverse effect on his ability to carry out
normal day-to-day activities."
Do
I have to make physical changes to my premises? At present,
you do not have to remove or change physical
features on your premises, or provide a
reasonable means of avoiding the feature.
These duties will be introduced in October
2004, but if you are planning building work
or refurbishment it is recommended that
you include these physical changes at that
time.
How
can I judge when my services are unreasonably
difficult for disabled people to use? You should
consider whether the time, inconvenience,
effort or discomfort involved for a disabled
person to use your services would be considered
unreasonable by other people if they experienced
the same difficulties.
What
kind of businesses will need to meet DDA
requirements? Shops, banks,
hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers,
opticians, high street services such as
travel agents, insurance agents etc., theatres,
cinemas, leisure facilities - any building
that caters for the public.
Why
can't I just deal with any problems as and
when they arise? Because the
Act requires you to plan ahead to meet the
requirements of your disabled customers.
Very
few disabled people use our services, so
is adapting my premises really necessary? There are
over 8.5 million disabled people in the
United Kingdom and they have considerable
collective spending power. Any adjustments
you make for disabled people may also benefit
other customers and your staff.
You will also retain
the goodwill of disabled people and their
families and friends one in four customers
is disabled or close to someone who is.
In addition you will avoid the risk of legal
action against you. TOP
What
happens if I fail to make reasonable adjustments? You might
be breaking the law. A disabled person can
make a claim against a provider whose services
are impossible or unreasonably difficult
for him or her to access. TOP
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