News: Open 4 All campaign tackles "infamous five" access myths
The business benefits of new equal access laws that come into force in
2004 could go unheard due to five common access myths, the Disability Rights
Commission (DRC) said today.
On the eve of the launch of its Open 4 All campaign - aimed at highlighting
the new duties that shops and businesses have to make sure that disabled people
get fair treatment in receiving goods and services - the DRC published
its Facts and Myths report to put the record straight.
The DRC report is also accompanied by the launch of a media hotline aimed at
providing an authoritative response to any new myths that may arise.
The infamous five myths featured in the report are:
Myth 1 - The new access laws are a burden on business
Accessible business is good business. Disabled people have an annual spending
power of £50 billion without taking into account their friends and families
who will also be influenced by their choices.
Myth 2 - The new access laws are unreasonable
The law is all about balancing the rights of disabled people using services
with the resources and capacity of business. The DRC doesn't want to see
businesses in court and are supporting them with a range of helpful information
and advice to improve their businesses. However, a failure to act before 2004
could see businesses vulnerable to legal action by disabled customers.
Myth 3 - The new access laws are all about litigation
Disabled people do not want to go to court to receive fair treatment in receiving
goods and services.
Myth 4 - The new access laws go too far
The DRC provided support to nearly 6,000 cases of discrimination since 2000.
Myth 5 - The new access laws threaten our heritage
Heritage sites can be made accessible to disabled people without affecting
their historic character. Without these changes disabled people will be locked
out. Many historic sites such as York Minster, Royal Opera House and Southwark
Cathedral have successfully made improvements.
Marie Pye, Head of Policy at the DRC, said:
"The new laws will affect anyone who provides a service to the public - from
the corner shop to the large supermarket, from the local swimming pool to the
dentist. The DRC is launching its Open 4 All Campaign to explain the improvements
it will bring to both disabled people and businesses providing services to the
public. Disabled people have waited a long time to get the service that many
of us take for granted. Careless talk and mistruths will cause unnecessary concern
among business and slow the pace for much needed change."
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Open 4 All campaign tackles "infamous five" access myths|