What's Your Problem ?

I run a small newsagent in town. I've heard that I have to change the building so people using wheelchairs can get in and out. Can you tell me more?

On 1 October 2004 the last stage of the goods, facilities and services provisions of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) comes into force. The new duties will apply to businesses and other service providers where physical features make access to their services impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people. They are an important step towards ensuring that disabled people have access to services that others take for granted. As a small business you need to think about what you can do to make sure that - as far as possible - disabled customers are treated in the same way as non-disabled customers. The Disability Rights Commission have produced a series of booklets to help small business owners understand the implications of the DDA and show ways that you can respond positively to the requirements of disabled customers. There are case studies about newsagents, cafes and hairdressers, plus tips about how to improve access to the goods and services you offer, many of which can be carried out at little or no cost. Download the guides from www.drc.gov.uk and go to the Information and Legislation section or call 08457 622 633. It makes good business sense to make your services easier to use by disabled customers. There are 8.5 million people in the UK with some form of disability - recent estimates put their collective spending power at over £40 billion a year!

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