Small businesses that have actively opened up their services to disabled customers could be in line for recognition, with the launch of this year’s Access All Areas Awards.
The awards recognise and reward businesses with less than 100 employees that have demonstrated innovation and creativity in ensuring that disabled people can access their services.
From 1 October, anyone providing a service to the public needs to tackle physical barriers to disabled people or consider how they can provide their service to disabled people in another way.
The law change will mean businesses such as shops, pubs, gyms, libraries, doctors and solicitors will need to consider how they can become more accessible. For the first time, small businesses will also have to ensure they do not discriminate against disabled employees or potential employees because of their disability and make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.
However, rather than being viewed as yet another piece of regulation to adhere to, it makes total business sense to implement the Disability Discrimination Act. Not only could businesses face fines and legal action for not complying, but its estimated that the 10 million disabled people in the UK have a combined spending power of £50 billion each year.
Many forward-thinking businesses have already been busy ensuring they are accessible to disabled people and are now being urged to showcase their innovation at the Access All Areas Awards.
A spokesperson for last year’s winner, Redditch-based Mouzer Employment, said: “Winning the award last year gives us recognition for the work we have done. It has increased our profile and increased our business. It’s wonderful!”
For more information on the Access All Areas Awards, visit: www.disability.gov/dda/awards or call 0845 124 9841
To find out how the Disability Discrimination Act will affect your business, click here
