Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Commercial Property
One Year To Go

There is one year to go until the DDA will impact on commercial property.

At present it is unlawful for businesses providing a service to the public to treat disabled people less favourably. There is also an obligation to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people in the way that services are provided.

From 1 October 2004 there will be an obligation to make "reasonable adjustments" to commercial premises.

It is not a matter of waiting until this date before making the adjustments. The reasonable adjustments must be in place by this date.

The duty to make reasonable adjustments arises when physical features makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of a service.

What is reasonable will depend upon a number of factors including:

• The type of service being provided
• The nature of the service provider, its size and resource and
• The effect of the adjustment.

A Code of Practice has been published by the DRC. This is not law but provides detailed advice on the way the law should work. It provides practical examples and tips and must be referred to in Court proceedings taken for breach of the DDA.

It is highly recommended reading for you to ensure that your premises comply with the DDA before the 1 October 2004.

• Useful website: www.drc-gb.org

Andrew Woods
Partner

9 October 2003