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 Disability Discrimination

 
 

 

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The Disability Discrimination Act was drafted in 1995 and implemented in 1996. In October 1999 a new duty stipulated that service providers (any business or organisation that serves the public) had to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. This comes fully into force in October 2004 with the aim of ending discrimination faced by many disabled people giving rights in the areas of employment, access to goods, facilities and services as well as buying or renting land or property.

Disability under the Act covers more than the registered disabled with disability being defined as "a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities".

Reasonable adjustments are not specified but the Disability Rights Commission says the following factors would be considered in determining if adjustments are reasonable

bulletwhether taking any particular steps would actually help to overcome the difficulty that disabled people face
bullethow practical it is for the service provider to take the steps
bulletthe financial and other costs of making the adjustment
bulletthe extent of any disruption which taking the steps would cause; and the financial resources

Lichfield has a Disability Action Group aiming to promote a more accessible environment for everyone including the disabled, the elderly and parents with young children and pushchairs and offers free advice to local businesses.  Contact Deb Morgan 01543 308145

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