Forum Brief: Disability access

The Disability Rights Commission and the Local Government Association have warned that local authorities they should start making preparations for the introduction of new access duties in 2004.

A spokesman for the DWP told ePolitix.com: "We welcome this new guidance. The government wants the 8.6 million people in this country to participate more fully.

"As frontline services, local authorities have a crucial role to play in making this possible."

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bob Niven, chief executive of the DRC, said: "We are concerned that many larger local authorities are simply not grasping the opportunity to make their services accessible to disabled people.

"We aren't just talking about putting a ramp up the front of the town hall but also about improvements to premises where a whole range of services are delivered including: libraries, sports centres, swimming pools, streets, parks and open spaces, housing offices and recycling centres.

"There are 8.5 million disabled people in Britain who are regular users of council services. The strategy we're launching today with the LGA will help local authorities around the country make their services genuinely open for all."

Forum Response: Local Government Association

Councillor Laura Willoughby, chair of the LGA's equalities executive, said: "Many local authorities have already done a lot of good work to improve access to services for disabled people and a lot can be learnt from their examples.

"It isn't the case that councils do not want to meet these new requirements, but many are unsure of the legal implications and are fearful of the costs it involves.

"Undoubtedly, it's vital that all councils are prepared when this comes fully into force next October. There is a lot of work still to be done and I hope that the guidance we can now offer will help councils better meet the needs of everyone in their communities."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

Matt Townsend, spokesman for The Disabilities Trust, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the Disability Rights Commission's continuing efforts to raise awareness amongst all of society's stakeholders as to the revisions to the Disability Discrimination Act that come into force next year.

"It is to be hoped that all organisations affected will be ready in time and that costly and divisive legal action can be avoided.

"In addition the DRC is right to point out that this is about more than just physical access, it is about providing a genuinely enabling environment for disabled people."

Forum Response: Local Government Information Unit

A spokesman for the LGIU told ePolitix.com: "Good disabled access is an essential part of equalities best practice.There is widespread agreement on this and little problem with disabled access being achieved in all new building projects for local councils.

"However, with a physical infrastructure in our public services that means the continued use of many old buildings,the scale of the conversion work needed will be a challenge to many local authorities as they juggle tough budget priorities.

"This is a classic case where joined up thinking is needed. It is little use setting local authorities targets without a funding plan that can be realistically expected to make it happen. Local government does not appreciate any notion that we are being set up to fail."

Forum Response: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Matt Grainger, spokesman for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "We very much welcome the DRC's and LGA's joint reminder to local authorities that they must ensure that all their services are fully accessible.

"The need for physical adjustments to be made to premises is underpinned by the continuing need for adjustments to people's attitudes.

"Local government needs to take the lead on disability access and set a very visible example for all other service providers to follow."