10 August 2004 - D.I.Y. it’s time for firms to open up
Getting a handle on disability access will be top of the agenda at branches of B&Q during August and September when small business owners will be able to get the low-down on how to open up their services and workplaces in time for changes to the law coming into force in October.Minister for Disabled People, Maria Eagle, who is leading the campaign to raise awareness of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) among businesses, said:
“Opening up to disabled customers and staff is not all about expensive ramps and lifts. In fact it could be a lot easier than businesses think. Many quick and cheap DIY solutions could make all the difference to disabled people and get businesses well on the way to meeting their new duties under the Disability Discrimination Act from October.
“Improving lighting and signage and painting walls and doors in contrasting colours aren’t difficult things to do but can be a great help to visually impaired people. Lowering shelves and widening aisles for wheelchair users are also improvements that can be done cheaply and quickly.
“There are more than 10 million disabled people in Britain, with spending power worth some £50 billion. It makes business sense to ensure they are able to spend their money and business sense for employers to tap into that pool of talent. Firms that don’t think now about what reasonable changes might be required could find themselves facing costly legal action come October.”
The eight events, run jointly by the Department for Work and Pensions and B&Q, aim to provide information about new parts of the DDA coming into force as well as practical advice from experts on disability access.
B&Q’s diversity manager Sue O’Neil added:
“B&Q is pleased to work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions in raising awareness amongst small businesses of the next stage of the DDA. Accessibility is very often about simple practical changes which make life easier for disabled people when shopping or going about their day to day lives.
“B&Q is able to use the knowledge of their trade experts in partnership with access consultants to demonstrate low cost ideas and solutions to improve accessibility for local businesses and for B&Q trade account customers.”
Businesses who wish to attend should contact George Ames on 020 7403 2230 or email george@forster.co.uk
Notes for editors
- From 1 October all businesses that provide a service to the public will be under a new duty to make reasonable physical adjustments to make their services accessible to disabled customers. In addition, employers with fewer than fifteen staff will for the first time have the same duties towards their employees and potential employees as larger firms.
- There are eight seminars taking place at B&Q stores during August and September. Events will be held in Hull (10 August), Nottinghamshire (11 August), Lanarkshire (17 August), Bristol (19 August), Cleveland (24 August), Dorset (2 September), Cheshire (7 September) and Surrey (9 September).
- Small and medium sized business owners who have already gone the extra mile for their disabled customers are being called on to put themselves forward for the Access All Areas Awards. More information about the awards and an application form can be obtained from www.disability.gov.uk/dda/awards or by calling 0845 124 9841. Entries are being invited in six categories:
- retail
- hotels, bars, pubs and eating establishments
- financial, legal and other business services
- entertainment and leisure
- health (opticians, dentists, GP surgeries, etc), beauty and hairdressing
- other public bodies, charity and voluntary organisations
- Free information and advice for small businesses is available from the Disability Rights Commission at www.drc-gb.org
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