Since the implementation of Disability Discrimination Act, a company faces prosecution if their premises are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Companies must take reasonable steps to ensure that as many disabled people as possible have full access to goods, services and places of interest.
Improvements are not restricted to building access, but also include the introduction of additional features such as grab rails, touch legible signs and visual and audio alarm systems.
BSI has a range of products to help businesses assess and implement the necessary changes. These essential guides will:
- provide all necessary guidance and best practice
- build compliance manuals
- integrate with existing documentation/systems
- manage actions and review
- report on ‘gaps’ in business systems
- allow flexible reporting options including export to PDF.
Much of the act is subjective interpretation, meaning that there is not necessarily a right or wrong approach. Good practice, assessment and review will hold all business owners in good stead.
For more information on the law and disabled peoples' rights please view the Disability Rights Commission.
BS 8300 explains how the built environment can be designed to anticipate, and overcome, restrictions that prevent disabled people making full use of premises and their surroundings.
An accessible environment is one which a disabled person can enter and make use of independently or with help from a partner or assistant, including being able to escape in the event of fire or other emergency.
Some facilities can be designed in such a way as to incorporate access for disabled people. In other situations, additional features such as grab bars, touch legible signs and hearing enhancement systems might be needed.
The guidance in this standard covers a wide range of disabilities and the use of the built environment by disabled people who can be residents, visitors, spectators, customers, employees, or participants in sports events, performances and conferences.
