Kelly Pierce wrote:
> It looks like the uk will soon be requiring accessibility from commercial
> businesses. It appears that specific regulations will be issued in the
> fall. Predictably, the business community is up in arms, as the font page
> of yesterday's Financial times demonstrates below.
>
> kelly
>
> the Financial Times
> FRONT PAGE - FIRST SECTION:
> 28 Apr 99
> Shops face big costs to improve access for disabled.
>
> By SIMON BUCKBY
> All businesses serving the public - from banks to corner shops -
> will be required to improve access to Britain's 8.5m disabled
> people by October. The changes will cost businesses - both public
> and private sector - up to Pounds 230m in the first instance,
> then up to Pounds 280m a year, the government estimates.
> It announced yesterday that it would enforce fully the 1995
> Disability Discrimination Act, thereby ending Labour's hesitation
> about the cost. The act, which already applies to company
> employees, will require businesses to make "reasonable
> adjustments" to allow full access to customers. A code of
> practice to advise businesses will be published in June.
> Physical barriers restricting access to services, such as the
> absence of wheelchair ramps, must be removed by 2004. It is
> estimated these changes could cost more than Pounds 1.23bn.
> Ruth Lea, head of policy at the Institute of Directors, said: "We
> are worried about the size of the total costs as it is unclear
> what is meant by 'reasonable adjustments'."
> She pointed out that there were no exemptions for small
> businesses. "We are also concerned that many will simply ignore
> these regulations and end up in court with a hefty fine."
> Margaret Hodge, minister for the disabled, said: "They
> (businesses) will have to do only what is reasonable in their
> individual circumstances, which includes taking account of the
> resources available to them." By October, shops could change
> their lay-out to accommodate wheelchairs. Joe Korner, spokesman
> for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, said: "These
> reforms have been a long time coming and while it is hard to put
> a figure on the costs, they are likely to be much less than
> expected." Drive to combat red tape, Page 12
> Companies: Institute of Directors (IOD). Labour Party (UK).
> Countries: GB United Kingdom, EC.
> Industry: P9441 Administration of Social and Manpower
> Programs. Actuary: Media, Broadcasting Contractors.
> Subject: Government - Central. Health issues & Health care.
> Human Rights. Politics. Social Issues. Standards &
> Specifications. Types: Stories.
> MCC Type: NEWS General news.
>
> The Financial Times
> Page 1
> Copyright (C) The Financial Times Ltd, 1997
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