21 August 2008The second part of the Disability Discrimination Act came into force in October 1999. This entitled everyone to gain access to those services available to the public. This means that people with disabilities are as entitled to enter shops, banks, offices, in fact all public buildings where a service is provided, as those who are not disabled, or be provided with the service in some other form.
In 2004 the third part of the Act comes into force. This will require owners of public buildings to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their buildings are accessible to all so that the services they provide can be accessed by everyone.
Code of practice
In order to achieve this, the Department for Education and Employment together with the National Disability Council have produced a code of practice to give guidance on what the legislation requires; this should be available from your local library.
A draft of the code of practice has been issued by the Department for Education and Employment, for consultation purposes. A copy of this guide and other information concerning access for the disabled is available free from the National Disability Council. This will eventually form the National Guide to the provision of access to buildings.
Building regulations
Part M of the Building Regulations was amended to include new houses, as well as Offices and Shops. To provided with suitable access for wheelchair users and other persons with disabilities i.e. level or ramped access to the front door. It also requires that a toilet be provided in the principal entrance and that switches and sockets are suitably sited. In commercial premises at least one toilet must be accessible to wheelchair users for both staff and public. In buildings over a certain size a suitable passenger lift must be provided. Internal and external steps or stairs should be identified by the use of tactile surfaces to warn the blind or partially sighted of such hazards.
These requirements are enforced by the Building Control Section, which check plans submitted to them and will not pass them as satisfactory until they are satisfied that the requirements of the regulations have been complied with.
In order to avoid last minute panic, get advice on what may be necessary for the provision of suitable access.
If you require further information, please contact Building Control section.
