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Accessibility Directory

October 2004 brought the final stage of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995 into force. Aiming to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in a range of ways, the DDA requires that anyone providing a public service must make reasonable provision for customers and users with disabilities. Whatever the size and nature of your business, you cannot afford to ignore the DDA.

If you are offering a service, you will have to review certain aspects of what you do to ensure that you are not breaking the law. This includes your manner and attitude; your marketing materials; physical access to your business, and your employment practices (for bigger organisations). Just because your B&B is run in your own home, for example, you cannot claim exemption from the Act.

At the very least, we recommend that you undertake a thorough examination of the services you offer and consider the improvements you could make. These may be quite small and inexpensive. If you are unlucky enough to fall foul of the Act, you will need to show that you have given careful consideration to its requirements: a simple, written checklist might be one way to start to get to grips with the DDA.

Don't forget the RADAR Key scheme is in operation in Winchester and keys are available for loan or purchase (£3) from the Tourist Information Centre, the main reception desk at the City Council's Offices, Colebrook Street, or from the Environmental Health Department at Winchester City Council.

For a helpful and easy-to-read summary of the Disability Discrimination Act, go to www.disability.gov.uk. You may also find the following links useful for advice on ways in which you can improve your services for visitors with disabilities. If you would like to recommend any organisations which are not mentioned below please telephone 01962 840 500.

Tourism South East

The regional tourist board for the south east can provide you with information on how your establishment can comply with the DDA, from training courses to accessibility audits.

www.industry.visitsoutheastengland.com

Easy does it - New guide for the industry

A new brochure entitled 'Easy does it' has been produced to help tourism businesses improve their accessibility.

The 12 page glossy brochure breaks down the visitor journey into six stages, from attracting the visitor to book to once they have returned home.

'Easy does it' is packed full of ideas that are simple and low-cost, including the provision of easy to find information such as contact details for the local Shopmobility scheme or accessible taxi firm.

Creating Accessible Tourism

TSE's booklet 'Creating Accessible Tourism - design guide for tourism accommodation businesses' looks specifically at access issues relating to visitor accommodation. Using diagrams and photos the guide shows how accommodation providers can create an accessible environment for visitors with visual, hearing and mobility requirements. The guide and self-completion access audit will assist tourism businesses in fulfilling their responsibillties under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Price £20 (£10.00 to TSE Members)

Members should include their membership number with their order letter. Please make cheques payable to Tourism South East and send to Development Publications Orders, Tourism South East, 40 Chamberlyne Road, Eastleigh, Hants, SO50 5JH

Training Courses

TSE's training department can offer a Welcome All course which will provide you with practical advice on how to improve accessibility and communicate effectively as well as explaining the DDA in more detail. For further information on courses taking place near you take a look at their current course list

RNID

The RNID is the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. The RNID shop gives access to the latest equipment, technology and publications for deaf and hard of hearing people.

www.rnid.org.uk

Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Equality and Human Rights Commission champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.

www.equalityhumanrights.com

Centre for Accessible Environments

Advice and information on accessible design. They produce a range of useful publications and offer a consultancy service on access issues, including conducting access audits.

www.cae.org.uk

JMU Access Partnership

The JMU Access Partnership is a not-for-profit pan disability access consultancy supported by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The JMU have a selection of publications to purchase including a sign design pack, or you can order a free information pack.

www.jmuaccess.org.uk

The National Register of Access Consultants

The NRAC enables clients quickly to locate suitable consultants and provides a quality standard for those advising on the accessibility of the built environment for disabled people.

www.nrac.org.uk

British Standards BS8300 2001

The design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people - Code of practice.

www.bsigroup.co.uk

Royal Association for Deaf People

Quick Guides - British Sign Language
The guide gives an overview of what British Sign Language is, how to find a course and a breakdown of the course levels which can be studied. It also has a comprehensive set of 'work survival signs' including the fingerspelling alphabet.

www.royaldeaf.org.uk

Diversity Means Business

Their chief aim is to promote the benefits that good diversity practices could have on your business and provide the assistance you need to improve your practices or to get started.

www.diversitymeansbusiness.org.uk

Adjusting for Better Business

A campaign has been launched to encourage local businesses to make their businesses more accessible to disabled customers and staff.

Called Adjusting for Better Business, the campaign will inform small businesses about their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act and show them how they may only need to make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of disabled people.

www.dwp.gov.uk/dda