Rate this!
Graham Halliday
Member - 8 posts
The DDA specifies that amendments should be made to buildings to allow access for the disabled etc. This may include the introduction of braille signs, ramps, wheelchair refuge points etc. Could you advise me of who will actually police this legislation and what the potential penalties for non-compliance are likely to be?
Rate this!
Anonymous
My understanding of the DDA is that there will be no inspection regime. Only if a complaint is made will there be an investigation. The Disability Rights Commission will support disabled people in securing their rights under the DDA if a complaint is made to them. Penalties may be decided by a Civil Action in a County Court for damages etc.
Good advice is available from:
The Disability Rights Commission
www.drc-gb.org
or
The Centre for Accessible Environments
www.cae.org.uk
Good luck!
Rate this!
Anonymous
I am currently looking into DDA issues associated with our parish church, a grade II* listed building. In this case guidance is being made available from the church authorities. Is there such an interest group covering your particular building?
Rate this!
Anonymous
Brian is correct, the DDA will not be 'policed' in any formal way and complaints need to be brought by the disabled person who has been subject to discrimination as defined under the Act. There is currently no limit on potential penalties and consideration may be made for hurt feelings when awarding compensation-obviously as soon as we get some case law in place this will become clearer. The DRC and CAE are certainly very good sources of information and the DRC website in particular has just been updated with details of their new 'Open for All' campaign which provides sound general info on what will be required of service providers. Whilst you mention some of the main building alterations, a key point to bear in mind is that the DDA is an Act relating to discrimination in the way in which you provide your service which may or may not require you to make alterations to the physical features within your building. I would certainly recommend having an access audit carried out that will highlight any changes that you amy need to consider to both you building and service. Although having an audit carried out is only the first step to ensuring your service is accessible, this action, coupled with evidence that you are planning for the recommended changes is likely to be looked upon favourably by the courts in the event of a clai.
Rate this!
Polly Green
Member - 12 posts
The Workplacelaw Network is bringing out the second edition of 'Disability: Making Buildings Accessible Special Report', priced £99, at the end of this year.
The report provides a comprehensive guide to legislation and practice and reviews the impact of the DDA and its relationship with other important legislation, such as Part M of the Building Regulations. It describes in detail what adaptations need to be made to meet obligations under the DDA, and describes what might be considered ?reasonable? in achieving this.
To pre-order your copy, call 0870 777 8881.
0 (0)
