Disability Access: What Your Business Needs To Do Know

From 2004, tougher rules will be imposed upon 'service providers'. This means that not only retailers, but any kind of business that offers access to the public will be affected. In a development of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), these businesses will be required to make 'reasonable adjustments' to the physical fabric of their offices or shops (for example, having fixed wheelchair ramps at all steps). You will need to start thinking about access implications well before the new laws take effect.

What can your business do now?
The first, inexpensive step your business should take is to plan an access audit. A good access auditor will come up with practical solutions to any problems a disabled person may have with your building or your business. The Centre for Accessible Environments (www.cae.org.uk) and other disability organisations offer training and maintain a list of approved access auditors.

Many access improvements can be made at little or no cost. Ongoing actions that management can consider include:

• Car parking - ensure that disabled bays are kept free
• Routes - ensure that external routes, ramps and steps are kept clean and unobstructed
• Doors - ensure that doors allowing wheelchair access are maintained
• Accessible WCs - these should include working emergency alarms
• Staff awareness - ensure that all staff are aware of the imminent legislation and provided with any necessary training in how to meet the needs of disabled customers.

For further information on disability issues, visit the Disability Rights Commission at www.drc-gb.org.