surveyor in Bishops Stortford- Barker & Associates - chartered surveyors for Essex and Hertfordshire

T: 01279 647111
F: 01279 647027
E: mail@barker-associates.co.uk

Waggoners Court
The Street
Manuden
Bishops Stortford
Herts
CM23 1DW

Disability Act 1995

	The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 began to take effect from 2nd December 1996. The Act makes it unlawful for an employer or provider of services to discriminate against a disabled person either in employment of in relation to the provision of goods, facilities and services. This will occur when, for a reason which is related to the person's disability, the employer treats that disabled person less favourably than he or she would treat an able bodied person. (or in the case of the service provider; failing to take reasonable steps for a disabled person to gain access to goods, facilities & services).
	In order to comply with the Act, it will be necessary to alter and adapt many buildings, which have been constructed prior to 1985 (The date Building Regulations were updated to include provision for The Disabled).
	Examples of some of the issues that need to be considered are listed below: - Suitable access ramps internally and externally Width of door openings for wheel chair users Width of lift doors Emergency escape routes for the disabled Disabled toilet facilities Height of service controls eg Lift buttons, Light switches Choice of sign colours for the visually impaired Braille buttons, signs etc
	Access Audits can be carried out by professional surveyors who will provide a detailed survey and with recommendations regarding a building's accessibility for the disabled.
	For further help you may wish to read the The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 online or contact Barker & Associates.