Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

In 1995, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) introduced laws aimed at ending the discrimination which many disabled people face and guaranteed new rights.

In respect of building and the provision of public services, all organisations that provide goods and services to the public, whether paid or free, are covered by the DDA - no matter how large or small they are.

From 2004 there will be a duty to remove physical barriers created in buildings whether new or old.

Under the DDA, discrimination occurs when:

‘There is a failure to make reasonable adjustment for a disabled person’

‘That failure cannot be justified’

The Act has far reaching implications! Building owners, managers, agents and service providers should be looking at their existing premises, identifying platform lift access improvements and including these in planned improvement or building maintenance programmes.

Now in 2004, the need to take action and provide platform lifts that comply with these requirements becomes ever more urgent.