What do the changes to the Disability Discrimination Act mean for service providers? If you provide a service to the public, whether you charge for it or not, you already have duties under the
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard Discrimination Act (DDA).
At the moment you cannot refuse to serve a disabled person or provide a lower
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard of service to a disabled person because of their disability. You also need to make reasonable changes to the way in which you provide your services to make sure that you don’t
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard against disabled customers.
From 1 October 2004 you may have to make reasonable adjustments to any physical
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard that may prevent disabled people using your service. Or you may have to provide your service by a reasonable
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard means, like bringing goods to the disabled person or helping them find items. There are some examples of the type of adjustments you could make below.
What is a reasonable adjustment?
Under the Disability Discrimination Act you only need to make changes that are ‘reasonable’. Take a common sense approach. There’s no rulebook, different people have different needs, and some organisations can afford to do more than others. For example, it would not be
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard for a small firm with a tight budget to undertake the same level of structural alteration that a big national company could easily finance. It’s about what is practical in your individual situation and what resources you have. You will not be required to make changes which are impractical or beyond your means.
Examples of reasonable physical changes for service providers These may include:
ensuring your premises are well lit and providing clearer
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard providing an induction loop for a person with a
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard impairment
providing seating
installing a permanent
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard and a handrail at the entrance to a building where there are steps
replacing a door handle with one that is easier to reach and to grip
lowering a reception
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard so that it is more accessible for people who use wheelchairs
using colour contrast to ensure entrances and exits are easier to use
meeting a mobility-impaired person in a more accessible venue, or at their home if your premises can only be reached by a flight of
alternative barriers desk Disability discriminate hearing ramp reasonable signs stairs standard .
These are all just examples and what you may need to do will depend on your individual situation and the needs of your disabled clients.
Either way, it makes sense to think ahead and to incorporate changes into any other refurbishments you may be planning.
(Exercise based on leaflet prepared by the DRC 2004) Extension Research diffewrent ways of looking at disability or "Models of Disability"