The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) aims to bring to an end the discrimination faced by many disabled people. The Act gives disabled people rights in the areas of:

• Employment

• Access to Goods, Services and Facilities

• Owning and Occupying Premises

The DDA was introduced on 2nd December 1996. From this date it became unlawful to refuse to provide a service, or offer a service of a lower standard to a disabled user. By 1st October 1999, Employers and Service Providers had a legal duty to ensure that it was not impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled users to access employment or services.

As of the 1st October 2004 Employers, Service Providers and Occupiers of buildings must ensure that where a physical feature previously made it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access employment or services, alterations to these features are required. The alterations should ensure that the physical features are either removed, altered, or, provide reasonable means of avoiding the feature.

GL Hearn is well positioned to provide advice to Employers, Providers of Services and Facilities as well as Occupiers of Buildings to assist in achieving compliance with the DDA by providing the following services:

• Provision of Access Audits designed to assess the usability
  of a building and surrounding land, by a disabled user

• Provide reports on the outcome of the Access Audit highlighting
  where physical features become obstructions and providing
  remedial measures to either remove the obstruction or reduce
  the effect of the obstruction

• Prepare Schedules of Work, Procure and Manage works where
  alterations may be required to physical features to remove their
  impact on disabled users

GL Hearn has a vast experience in providing advice on matters arising from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We are able to provide a national service through all of our regional offices.

For more information contact:
		paul_smith@glhearn.com