News: British business fights shy of biggest consumer law shake-up
The biggest shake-up of consumer legislation affecting every high street
in Britain is being ignored by business, says the Disability Rights Commission
(DRC) today.
By 1st October, 2004, every business, large or small - from the local
shop to restaurants, health clubs, dentists and supermarkets - ; will need
to become more user-friendly to Britain's 8.6 million disabled people.
But with one year to go, a national NOP survey for the DRC has stark news for
business - over 70% of disabled people find it difficult to get into shops
or use services offered on the high street.
The legislation, introduced under the Disability Discrimination Act, will affect
over 2 million British businesses. Failure to act could result in legal action.
The law means that businesses will need to make changes - such as adapting
premises, removing physical barriers or providing the service another way -
so that disabled people can use the service.
Unnecessary obstacles and bad building design can make everyday tasks impossible
for some disabled people. For example, a woman in a wheelchair cannot use her
local post office because there are three steps at the entrance. She has to
ask a passer-by to get the manager to cash her cheque on the street.
Today, the DRC launches its Open4All Campaign to help business understand the
new legislation and benefit from the £50 billion annual spending power
of disabled people. On the same day, the DRC launches a new website, www.open4all.org,
to provide practical advice and information to those affected by the changes.
Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, said: "Every
business has just one year to make the improvements needed to welcome disabled
customers. The DRC is here to help British business be open for all. Small
improvements will bring great benefits. Businesses will avoid the penalties
of failing to make changes and reap the dividends of the £50 billion
annual spending power of disabled people.!"
The NOP survey also found that over two thirds (67%) of disabled people's
friends and families who had been told of their bad experiences said they would
consider using an alternative.
British business fights shy of biggest consumer
law shake-up|
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