Understand the Disability Discrimination Act
Businesses should be aware of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). It applies to anyone selling goods or services.
Is it expensive?
Many tourism businesses worry that the DDA means vast expense. Working towards the DDA might mean spending some money. But often common sense is the only requirement needed to break down barriers.
The regulations are not in place to put people out of business. Treated positively, they can provide an opportunity to improve business by making sure that the service is accessible to more people.
What is reasonable?
The DDA expects employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to meet the requirements of disabled people. The law does recognise that different approaches can be used to reflect the size and nature of the business. It’s about what is practical for each service provider.
Examples of reasonable adjustments
- Using large print for registration and guest information
- Recording menus onto audio cassettes/MP3 players and having large print versions
- Providing phones with large buttons
- Providing portable vibrating alarms for guests who can’t hear an audible fire alarm
- Providing a low desk for wheelchair users when there is no low reception desk
- Sending staff on a disability-awareness training course
Free legal advice
Businesses with DDA queries can take advantage of free legal advice. Whether it is just a query or a more serious issue, businesses that are registered with Tourism Network North East are eligible to a free one hour interview with one of two top legal firms - Dickinson Dees or Ward Hadaway.
Through One North East’s Premier support membership to Tourism for All, network members are also entitled to one hour’s free legal advice from Tourism For All.
RECOMMENDED READS
- What do guest accommodation owners need to know?
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help smaller guest accommodation businesses to become as accessible to as many visitors as possible
- A practical guide for small businesses and other small service providers
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help small businesses find ways of providing better access to goods and services for disabled customers
- Theme Parks and Attractions and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help owners of theme park and visitor attractions find ways of providing better access to goods, facilities and services
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- A practical guide for taxi and private hire services
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) primarily aimed at drivers and companies operating taxis and private hire vehicles or cars
- A practical guide for tour coach operators
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) aimed at providers of non-scheduled bus and coach services, offering good practice advice in serving disabled customers
- A practical guide for scheduled buses and scheduled coaches
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) aimed at operators of scheduled bus and coach services offering good practice advice in serving disabled customers
- A practical guide for the retail sector
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help retailers find ways of providing better access to goods and services for disabled customers
- A practical guide for breakdown recovery operators
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help breakdown recovery operators in serving disabled customers and potential customers
- A practical guide for rail services
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) offering good practice advice to Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and others in serving disabled customers and potential customers
- Guidance on accessibility of large hotel premises and hotel chains – PAS 88
This guide from the British Standards Institution provides information for large hotel premises seeking to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995
- Organising accessible events
A Disability Rights Commission guide (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help event organisers and other service providers to make events and associated services more accessible and inclusive
- Bringing the DDA to life for publicans
A Disability Rights Commission booklet (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) to help publicans understand their duties under the DDA
- Code of Practice
This Code – produced by the Disability Rights Commission (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) - describes the duties imposed by specific parts of the DDA and gives practical guidance on preventing discrimination
- Code of Practice – Supplement (Transport)
This Code – produced by the Disability Rights Commission (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) - helps to explain the effect of including transport vehicles within the DDA
- DDA better business pack
This Department for Work and Pensions booklet focuses on the most important things to know about the DDA
- Know your rights – Assistance dog owners
A Disability Rights Commission leaflet (now the Equality and Human Rights Commission) giving guidance on the rights of Assistance dog owners
