According to a recent survey by Unum Provident, small and medium sized business owners are dangerously unaware of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.
With effect from October 2004 all "service providers" regardless of size will have to ensure that their premises are accessible to disabled people. Accessibility could include making access points wide enough for wheelchairs, making fire escapes easier to access, lowering signs and shelves and making notices clearer.
Our View
There is a real lack of awareness of the Act and the implications that non-compliance carries. Everyone should have access to the same services, regardless of whether they are able-bodied or disabled.
However, from the business owner's perspective, changes to premises are expensive and the Government is giving nothing away to incentivise or assist with the changes. This can be hard financially on a small business. The way to make the whole process work and be embraced by the majority of businesses would be to help them along in the pocket.
Whilst this is a very materialistic view, at least it is a realistic one.