Accessibility and the Disability Discrimination Act

The mention of October 2004 is enough to stir ‘nervousness and in some cases confusion and panic in the hearts of service providers.’

‘Businesses are anxious to ensure they meet the requirements of the new Disability Discrimination Act.’

Its unlawful to discriminate against disabled people, this includes young people with a disability, in:-

• The provision of service
• Standards of service
• Terms of service

‘Under part III of the Act, businesses that provide goods, facilities and services to the general public [whether paid for or free] need to make reasonable adjustments for the disabled population to ensure they do not discriminate by:

• Refusing to provide a service
• Providing a service of a lower standard or in a worse manner;
• Providing a service on less favourable terms than they would to users without the disability.

Look at the gains this is going to mean

• Businesses and services can increase their potential market by 10%

[The OCPS survey of 1988 showed that in the UK there are 360,000 disabled children]

• Premises can become or made more user friendly for all customers and staff.
• You can improve your services for everyone.
• You can make your goods easier to use for everyone.
• When products and environments work well for disabled people, they usually work better for everyone.

Reasons for involving young people with disabilities

Class 4:2 at Kingsdown School say why businesses should involve young people with disabilities:-

• Get better facilities for everyone
• Will increase their custom
• More money
• Good people who can work therefore wider choice of employees
• Our ideas, educate on how to best facilitate people with disabilities
• Will improve the service
• Increase profit