Disability Access Audits
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 provides for disabled people to have the legal right to be treated equal to able bodied persons. This means that all service providers have to ensure that their business is accessible to do business with people with disabilities.
Who does it apply to?
It has been estimated that over 8 million people in the UK are covered by the provisions of the Act with a combined spending power of £50 billion per year.
The final part of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) became effective from October 2004 and applies to employers and service providers. It also applies to anyone providing a service to the public, whether you are a public or private operation no matter whether your services are paid for or free.
How do I comply?
To get you started it recommended you carry out an access audit. This will include:
Making a list of the full range of disabilities of people who may visit you or who are in your employment.
Follow the route that customers and staff take into and around your premises and consider what particular access needs a disabled person may have at each stage:
- From car park to the entrance point
- Entrance to the building
- Reception
- Customer toilets
- Doorways and corridors
- Lighting
- Any change of floor level
Who should carry out a Disability Access Audit?
You can of course do this yourself but sometimes it is best left to the professionals. Our DDA auditors have an in depth knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act and awareness of working with Disability issues. All our DDA auditors also have successfully passed the NCFE (Level 3) Access Auditing exam.
By complying with the Disability Discrimination Act you can meet your legal requirements and make your business accessible to this market.
What does the DDA Access Audit do for our organisation?
Primarily, you will know what adjustments you need to make in order to provide accessibility to those who need it AND it allows you to comply with the law.
The results of your audit will help you provide the right information for management and staff so they are aware of their responsibilities to help disabled people e.g. communicating in the right way, keeping routes clear, setting up removable ramps, operating enhanced hearing facilities etc
Also by assessing access needs you will be in a strong position to provide written policies and practical procedures on how to approach disability requirements
What do I do next?
For more information please contact 0871 200 3438 or click here to request a quote
Don't wait until it's too late!
Since 1st October 2004 disabled people have the right to use the power of the courts if they find they have been treated less favourably in terms of accessing products, services and facilities available to everybody else.