A Disability Rights Commission guide for service providers
 
Change by • advice • conciliation • legal enforcement
 
Open for All
Since October 2004 anyone providing a service has to address those physical features which make it difficult for disabled people to use their services.
 
This means that service providers – including shops and restaurants, pubs, clubs, gyms, swimming pools and hospitals – all have to make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises or the way they provide their services to ensure they are not unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use.
 
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) launched a campaign across England, Scotland and Wales to highlight what service providers should be doing to make their services accessible.
 
Disability Rights Commission
The DRC is an independent body established by Act of Parliament to eliminate the discrimination faced by disabled people and promote equality of opportunity. When disabled people participate – as citizens, customers and employees – everyone benefits. So we have set ourselves the goal of 'a society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens.'
 
• Are you encouraging disabled customers?
• Can disabled people use your business or services?
• Are you aware of the your legal duties?
 
You already have a duty to make changes to the way
you provide your services to disabled people. Since October 2004 these duties have become wide-ranging. You need to ensure that do you meet your legal duties and that you don’t ignore all those disabled people who are potential customers.
 
Introduction
If you provide a service to disabled people you have duties to them under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). You already may have had to make changes to the way you deliver your service if it is difficult for disabled people to use.
 
The duties have been introduced in three stages: