Disability Discrimination Act

The Disability Discrimination Act

Your role and responsibilities as a service provider

Background

• Under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) many rights and obligations relating to disabled people are already in existence
• From 2004 service providers have had an obligation to make reasonable adjustments to their premises to overcome physical barriers (Part III of the DDA (1995) code came into effect)
• This Act gives disabled people new rights of access to facilities, goods and services

Responsibilities

• Service providers must not discriminate against disabled people (this is the principle of Part III of the Act) in any way that contradicts the Government issued Code Of Practice
• The Code does not impose legal obligations but it would be unwise for any service organisation to ignore the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act and its code
• Since October 1999 service providers have been required to make reasonable adjustment for disabled people (providing extra help, induction loops for deaf etc) or make changes to the way they provide services

Who is a service provider?

• Within the meaning of the Act anyone who provides a service to the public is a service provider
• This would include any business found in a typical High Street e.g. shops, banks, opticians, restaurants, dentist, hairdresser, theatre, garage etc.

Is any service provider excluded?

• Private clubs, education and transport currently have a different status
• There is no exemption on the basis of size

Who does the Act seek to protect?

• Any person with a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their day to day activities
• It covers physical, mental and sensory impairments
• This includes for example people in wheelchairs, deaf people, partially sighted and blind people, people with arthritis

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