The retail sector has been warned about the implications of new disability legislation and how it affects their business.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) have together launched a practical guide to help retailers comply with the updated Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

The renewed act, which comes into force this October, had previously only applied to businesses with over 15 employees but will now apply to all businesses of all sizes.

Part three of the Act refers specifically to the retail sector and means that any service providers such as shops, restaurants and pubs, all have to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their premises in order to make it more accessible to disabled customers.

The new guide will explain legal duties and help entrepreneurs define what is ‘reasonable’ for their particular retail environment.

Kevin Hawkins, BRC Director General, said, “This guidance will prove invaluable for any retailers that have not yet considered their policies and obligations under the DDA.

“There are around 10 million adults with a disability in the UK – retailers are putting their bottom lines at stake if they ignore this market. We hope the guide will also help retailers realise the huge spending power of disabled people and their families and friends.”

The guide includes many ways in which retailers can improve their store in order cater for disabled customers. These include:

Improving access to the building by installing automatic doors, wheelchair width doorways and clearing any obstacles.
Improving access between storeys by providing ramps, handrails and elevators where necessary.
Exempt guide dogs from ‘no dogs policies.
Providing disabled toilets and changing areas.
Bert Massie, DRC Chairman, said, “With October just around the corner the joint BRC/DRC guidance is very timely as the new duties represent both a challenge and an opportunity for retailers to really open up services for disabled people.”

However, with such costly refurbishing requirements, only four per cent of small businesses believe the DDA will have a positive effect on their business. Such concerns will need to be greeted with practical support from the Government if retailers are to appreciate the full potential of the DDA.