30 September 2004 - Johnson heralds DDA day
Around 10 million disabled people will from tomorrow benefit from new legislation brought in to ensure improved rights for disabled people on the high street and in the workplace.
From 1 October changes to the Disability Discrimination Act will mean that service providers and businesses must take reasonable steps to tackle physical barriers preventing disabled people from accessing their services. This means businesses like shops, pubs, gyms, libraries, doctors and solicitors up and down the high street need to consider what they can reasonably do to become more accessible. In addition, small employers will for the first time have the same duties towards disabled staff and job applicants as larger firms. This means not discriminating against employees or potential employees because of their disability and making reasonable adjustments to the workplace.
Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said:
“ This Government has championed civil rights for disabled people and will continue to ignore the nonsense which suggests that this is anything to do with political correctness. This new legislation is about making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to give disabled people in this country the opportunity to participate fully so that society can benefit from the economic contribution they can make.”
“ Around one person in six is disabled and will benefit from the protection offered by this landmark piece of legislation. I am proud to be part of a Government that will continue to enhance the rights of disabled people at every opportunity.“
Maria Eagle, Minister for Disabled People added:
“By taking early action to improve accessibility, many businesses have already benefited from a wider customer-base. And the spending power of this country’s disabled population is £50 billion so it makes sense to cater for their needs. And from Friday legal action can be taken if you don’t.“
Notes for editors
- The Disability Discrimination Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The estimated number of adults in Britain covered by this definition is 9.8 million. This is based on new independent information available from the Family Resources Survey. The scope of the provisions of the DDA and the way in which the population covered by the DDA is measured could change over time. To ensure up-to-date estimates are available, the estimate will be updated annually. The previous used estimate - 8.6 million – was based on data from 1996/7 and an outdated definition of disability which fell short of the DDA definition
- More information and advice about the duties under the DDA for businesses is available from the Disability Rights Commission at www.drc-gb.org
For more information: contact Vicki Kennedy on 020 7238 0756
Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk / www.disability.gov.uk