| The Disability Discrimination Act |
|
An Act making it unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons in connection with
employment, the provision of goods, facilities and services or the
disposal or management of premises; to make provision about the
employment of disabled persons; and to establish a National
Disability Council.
The
Act defines disability as: a substantial long-term adverse effect on a
person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Sections
dealing with employment and first rights of access came into force on
1.12.96. Further rights of access came into force on 1.10.99. Service
providers had to consider making reasonable adjustments to the way they
deliver services. Final rights of access came into force in October
2004. From this date service providers may have to consider permanent
physical adjustments to premises.
According to the Disability Rights Commission and its code of practice, providers have to make reasonable provision for people with visual impairment. According to the RNIB (website) there is now a legal duty to meet the information needs of blind and partially sighted customers following implementation of Section 21 of DDA in October 1999. The JMU Access Partnership (Of RNIB and Guide Dogs Assoc.) has produced a sign design guide to meet the requirements of this Act. It should be noted that this relates not just to the form of Braille for blind people but also colour contrast used in signs for the partially sighted. The term "Reasonable" is frequently used in the Act. It is clear from Codes or Practice and answers to frequently asked questions that the demands are greater for major businesses with their greater financial resources than for small ones. You can find out more information on the DDA at the DDA web-site. |