The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
It is vital to be aware that not all visually impaired people are totally blind. The correct signs displayed at a proper eye level (Including wheelchair height) can be highly effective. Even those individuals that are completely blind can take advantage of tactile signage.
Tactile signs contain braille and raised edges to allow users to feel the meaning. They also serve as a normal sign. To the left of the Braille is a curved indicator which shows the user where to find the braille and gives the signs a reference point. An obvious location for these signs for any public building is the toilet room areas
The most important barriers to access for people with disabilities arise from the physical features of premises, from staff communication and training, and from the business policies and practices that service providers adopt. In achieving inclusive access it is equally important to implement effective staff equality training as it is to alter obvious physical barriers to access such as steps and poor signage. A common sense approach towards peoples access needs combined with often relatively minor physical adjustment can dramatically improve access.
The 1st of October 2004 was implemented as the date service providers had to make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome barriers to access faced by people with disabilities. This must be done by:
1. Removing the feature
2. Alter it so that it no longer has that effect
3. Provide a reasonable means of avoiding it or provide a reasonable alternative method of making the services available.
What is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995?
The purpose of the DDA is to prevent Service Providers treating people with disabilities less favourably than other customers or employees and to oblige Service Providers to make reasonable adjustments to all aspects of their service to ensure it is accessible to people with disabilities the DDA makes it unlawful for service providers to discriminate against disabled people in the service they provide by either: 1. Refusing to provide a disabled person with a service which is provided to others 2. Offering service on different terms 3. Offering a different standard or manner of service or failing to comply with a duty to make "reasonable adjustments", such that it makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a person with disabilities to use that service.
