Businesses not complying with discrimination laws

As the introduction of laws requiring every business to become
more user-friendly for disabled people are coming into force this
week, the majority of shops, restaurants and pubs are still not
complying, according to new research, writes Amy
Taylor. 

The NOP survey, commissioned by the Disability Rights
Commission, found that disabled people are encountering major
problems on four out of five of Britain’s major high
streets.

From 1 October, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will
require businesses and service providers to adapt their premises so
they are accessible to disabled people or provide the service in
another way so disabled people can use it.

Catherine Casserly, senior legislative advisor for the DRC,
warned there would be “nowhere to run and nowhere to
hide” for businesses and service providers who have not made
or planned improvements when the law came in.

“The DRC has been monitoring the progress of well known
service providers and we will be looking to test the law at the
earliest opportunity to achieve the maximum effect,” she
said.