Since the implementation of Disability Discrimination Act, a company faces prosecution if their premises are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Companies must take reasonable steps to ensure that as many disabled people as possible have full access to goods, services and places of interest.
Improvements are not restricted to building access, but also include the introduction of additional features such as grab rails, touch legible signs and visual and audio alarm systems.
BSI has a range of products to help businesses assess and implement the necessary changes. These essential guides will:
- provide all necessary guidance and best practice
- build compliance manuals
- integrate with existing documentation/systems
- manage actions and review
- report on ‘gaps’ in business systems
- allow flexible reporting options including export to PDF.
Much of the act is subjective interpretation, meaning that there is not necessarily a right or wrong approach. Good practice, assessment and review will hold all business owners in good stead.
For more information on the law and disabled peoples' rights please view the Disability Rights Commission.
BS 8300:2001 gives recommendations for the design of new buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. The recommendations given in this British Standard also apply for assessing the accessibility and usability of existing buildings and, where practicable, as a basis for their improvement. The extent to which the recommendations apply to listed and historic buildings is determined on a case by case basis.
