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BUILDING SURVEYING

Disabled Access

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA) has now been superseded by The Equality Act 2010 is aimed at improving access to business and public buildings for anyone with a disability.

This new Act encompasses the DDA 2005 with the intention of strengthening and combining anti-discrimination legislation as a whole.

There are several new additions to the previous DDA that are incorporated into the new Equity Act.

Whilst largely, The Equality Act covers all the same areas as the DDA did, it now also includes provision of goods and services (including services that are provided free of charge), travel and transport, employment, education, occupation, buying or renting flats and houses, public authorities and now private clubs.

The act applies to managers of public buildings or the operators of any business where the public, clients or staff of other organisations are invited into their place of work.

The range of and breadth the Act covers is wide disability that the act aims to cover is wide. Not only does it seek to help those with physical disabilities, it also aims to help those with impaired senses and learning difficulties.

The reasonable adjustments

The act requires that such organisations make reasonable alterations to their premises to make access to and moving around their buildings easier for less-abled people.

The solution to improved access need not be expensive.

Simple adjustments and creative thinking are the key to improving access on a realistic budget.

GNA have extensive experience in providing access solutions to a wide range of clients in the following areas:

  • DDA access audits
  • Design and management of access alterations to existing buildings
  • Designing and management of new buildings with a view to complete mobility for all
  • Reporting on methods to “future proof” access to buildings
  • Advising landlords and tenants in respect of their DDA liabilities.

We can help you establish what is reasonable, and how the Disability Discrimination Act affects your premises, for initial advice we welcome all enquires, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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