Disability Discriminiation Act

Disability Discrimination Act

The law now makes it unlawful for businesses and organisations providing services to treat disabled people less favourably than other people for a reason related to their disability.

From October 2004 service providers will have to consider making changes to physical features that make it difficult for disabled people to use their services. You can find out more at Open 4 All campaign micro-site (site opens in new window).

From October 2004 it will also be unlawful for any employer to discriminate against a disabled person when choosing someone for a job or considering people for promotion, dismissal or redundancy.

You can find out more about the Disability Discrimination Act from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) at www.drc-gb.org (site opens in new window). They offer practical guidance to employers and organisations for making sure that disabled people are treated fairly. Often quite simple adjustments help not only disabled people but the general public as well.

Find out about the following topics on the DRC website (pages open in a new window):

  • Providing access to goods, services and access to buildings
  • Employing disabled people
  • Providing health care and social care
  • The duties of schools and colleges

Check out Frequently asked questions about all these topics and more.

DRC’s policing of the law

: What will the DRC do if service providers fail to make any changes?

Obviously the DRC doesn’t want to see service providers in court but ultimately if organisations do nothing that is where they could end up. However the DRC has a range of information and there is help and support available and we would encourage service providers to take that up as soon as possible. If businesses fail to take these responsibilities seriously we can either support an individual customer in taking a complaint to court or can investigate on our own behalf – possibly using a non-discrimination notice.

Access Audits

: Our local traders say that the DRC has recommended they have an access audit but that will cost hundreds of pounds and they can’t afford this.

It is important that if a business is going to make changes that they spend their money wisely. The Disability Rights Commission has produced an excellent practical guide for small businesses which will really help decide what changes to make and that is free from our helpline or on our website. However businesses may quite sensibly decide they need professional help and an access auditor can provide this. For small businesses why not join up with other businesses in your area and share the costs of an access audit or see whether your local Chamber of Commerce would like to employ an auditor for a couple of days because many businesses will often have exactly the same issues.

Access Audits:

Where would you find a good professional access auditor?

There are many professional access auditors available and businesses may be aware of these locally, their local council, business group or disability organisation may be able to recommend someone. If not, then there is a website detailing accredited access auditors (site opens in new window).

Useful links

These links go to external websites which will open in a new browser window.