Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Disabled Discrimination Act
TRADERS who ignore the needs of the disabled could now find themselves hauled before the county court.
The new Disabled Discrimination Act, which came into force in October, requires supermarkets, banks, shops, cafes and other businesses which deal directly with the public to provide smooth access and information for their disabled and blind customers.
While they are not expected to spend a fortune on these, they will be expected to make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises so that wheelchairs can enter easily, and the visually handicapped has access to information on price tags, menus and notices. This can be through the means of large print, braille or on aural tape.
Before the act, the disabled could only rely on these facilities being provided on the good will of traders. But now traders are bound by law to ensure the path into their premises is clear and the blind are fully informed of what is on offer.
If they don't, and a disabled person feels hard done by, he has the power to take the matter to the county court. If the trader - or a member of the trader's staff - is found to be in contravention of the act, an order can be taken out and a fine imposed.
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