The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)
- What does it mean?
- What does "discriminate" mean?
- How does this affect businesses?
- What if an alteration costs too much?
- What is "reasonable"?
- Are listed buildings exempt?
- What if businesses have no disabled customers or employees?
- What are the risks of doing nothing?
- What should you do next?
- What is an Access Audit?
- What else should you take in to account?
- What are the advantages of compliancy with the DDA?
What else should you take in to account?
Our report will give you an action plan identifying areas and issues which should be addressed in order to fully comply with the DDA. It is essential that you seek advice to ensure that you are fully prepared and compliant with the DDA legislation.
When considering your action plan you should be in touch with the following organisations/bodies to verify your intended changes as necessary:
- Local Authority Access Officer
- Agent/Architect when undertaking physical works
- Planning Officers where planning permission is required
- Building Control Officers where building regulations apply
- Local disability organisations
- Disability Rights Commission
a) Building Regulations
Part M of Building Regulations covers access affecting disabled people:
-
Non-domestic/commercial
- Approach and access to main entrance
- Access within the building
- Provision, design and access to toilets
- Audience and spectator seating
- Aids to communication � theatres, meeting rooms, reception areas
- Car parking provision
- Fixtures and fittings
-
Since May 2004, Part M has been updated and also includes BSI 8300:2001 (see below). There is now a statutory requirement on material changes of use of existing buildings
-
New dwellings
Courts will assume change has been anticipated. Change of use and adaptations to existing buildings are covered by section 4 of the DDA.
b) Planning Permission
Access for disabled people is a material planning consideration. This MUST be taken in to account when your Local Authority determines a planning application in respect of:
- A new build
- Alterations and extensions, possibly refurbishments
- Change of use
- Adaptations to office, shop, community facility, hotel, bank, pub, schools, etc.
Basically, this means any building which is used by the public.
c) BSI 8300:2001 Standard
British Standard BS 8300:2001 is the �Design of Buildings and Their Approaches to Meet the Needs of Disabled People, Code of Practice�. This code of practice should be used by architects, surveyors, town planners and builders to ensure that they comply with the DDA. The BS 8300:2001 explains how to design the built environment to make it fully accessible. It aims to help overcome restrictions that prevent anyone from making full use of premises and their surroundings. The recommendations detailed in the Standard cover a wide range of impairments and activities. Although the recommendations contained within the document are primarily for application to new buildings; they can, however, be used as a guide in assessing the accessibility of existing buildings. The guide applies to:
- Car parking provision
- Access points to and around all buildings as well as entrances to and interiors of new builds
- Access to recreational facilities associated with and in the immediate vicinity of existing buildings, for example, patios, picnic areas, etc.
- Health and welfare buildings
- Dwellings and other residential buildings (although the Standard does not apply to those designed exclusively for use by disabled persons)
- Administrative and commercial buildings
- Refreshment, entertainment and recreation buildings
- Educational, cultural and scientific buildings
A point to note is that access does not only relate to brick buildings; it also relates to the countryside, open spaces, education and transport facilities. Also, approval of building regulations and planning permission does not guarantee compliance with the DDA.
