Forum Brief: Access to services

The minister for disabled people has challenged small businesses across the country to make their services more accessible.

Launching "access all areas", a nation-wide awards scheme, Maria Eagle said that disabled people "should be able to expect the same opportunities in their daily life as anybody - whether going to the shops, socialising or playing sport".

A spokesman for the DWP told ePolitix.com: "Making reasonable adjustments, even physical changes, can often be easy and inexpensive. Thinking ahead is the key for small businesses, which is why we're today launching the Access All Areas award and Act Now video to raise awareness well in advance of the new duties coming into effect in October 2004.

"And of course companies that do go the extra mile will also reap the business rewards in the long term. The UK's 8.5 million disabled people have a spending power of more than £45 billion - that is a market that no business, big or small, should ignore."

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, told ePolitix.com: "The DRC welcomes the new awards as a positive way of encouraging businesses to look beyond the strict letter of the law.

"Britain's 8.5 million disabled people generate spending power of at least £50 billion each year. No business can afford to ignore such a market.

"Also, the law requires businesses not to discriminate against disabled people. The moral, the legal and economic cases combine to make meeting the needs of disabled people the sensible and right thing for business of all sizes to do."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the IoD told ePolitix.com: "Of course the vast majority of businesses will want to do all they can to improve access for disabled people.

"But the issue of cost is a real one. The smallest businesses will find it difficult to afford the work that need to be done without financial assistance."

Forum Response: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Robin Hutchinson, head of communications at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "Some areas of business have yet to realise the full implications of the Disability Discrimination Act and fulfil their obligations.

"As a result, disabled people are often still denied access to the goods and services the rest of us take for granted. Guide dog owners, for instance, are often turned away from shops, pubs and restaurants, despite the DDA outlawing this discrimination.

"However, it is as important to recognise good practice as it is to tackle bad. We know a number of small businesses are fearful of the impact of the DDA on their viability and we hope that these awards can put a spotlight on those companies that have taken a positive approach to access."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

A spokesman for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "Access all Areas is a welcome initiative. It is important that the small business community recognises its obligations under the DDA when they come into force from next October.

"However as this initiative gives businesses an opportunity to get up to speed before that deadline, it should prove to be a useful tool for SMEs."

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

A spokesman for the FSB told ePolitix.com: "We are concerned that some small firms do not know what they have to do individually to comply with the DDA legislation and we have worked with Equality Direct and the Disability Rights Commission to develop clear and concise advice for small businesses.

"Most small business owners appreciate what disabled people can offer both as potential customers and potential employees, but there are genuine cost implications for firms looking to upgrade their premises.

"We are disappointed that the chancellor has so far decided not to introduce a tax credit for money spent on upgrading premises to comply with the Act. Such a move would be a great way of marking 2003 as the Year of Disabled People."