Is your business accessible?

Making your premises accessible to disabled people will be a key aspect of compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). All companies, regardless of size, must make all reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people have full access to premises and the goods provided. Listed buildings are no longer exempt. The new Disability Discrimination Bill strengthens this act in many areas such as transport services, rented premises and employment law. It also adds a new duty on public bodies to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

What is a ‘reasonable adjustment’?
Essentially this means taking a common sense approach. There is no rulebook, as different people have different needs. It’s all about doing what is practical in your individual situation and making use of what resources you have.

Why these changes are good for business
Many of these changes will not only benefit the 10 million disabled people in this country; they will make your services more accessible to other potential customers e.g.

• The friends and families of disabled people accompanying them
• Customers with pushchairs or carrying heavy shopping or luggage
• Customers with children
• Older customers who may not be disabled but who do appreciate easier access.

Research proves that there is a huge amount of customer loyalty amongst this last untapped sector of the community so making your services more accessible to them can only be good for your business in the long run.

Advice on accessibility
Living Options Devon specialises in identifying barriers to access and solutions in the form of simple changes and modifications that you and your staff can undertake easily to make your businesses and premises more welcoming to disabled people and less likely to be challenged by the DDA. Our access auditors all have various disabilities themselves so are not only trained by the Centre for Accessible Environments, but also live the life and can demonstrate why change is necessary.

Current and past customers include:
The Environment Agency; Exeter International Airport; Devon County Council, Exeter and Plymouth City Councils; South Devon and Exeter Healthcare Trusts; Devon and Cornwall Training Providers Network (including 45 training providers); The Learning and Skills Council; Royal Albert Memorial Museum. We are happy to supply testimonials and references.

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