Accessible Cambridge: DDA

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The DDA, the DRC, and what they mean for you

What is the DDA?
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), originally passed in 1995, makes it unlawful for service providers to treat disabled people less favourably just because of their disability. If you provide a service to the public or are an employer, you have to make “reasonable adjustments” to allow access to their service for disabled people.

Who are the DRC?
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is a government initiative which aims “to help secure civil rights for disabled people.” It gives advice on the legal rights of disabled people and the legal duties of employers and service providers in relation to disabled people. Their website is www.drc-gb.org.

What counts as a disability?
The DRC defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”. This was modified in December 2005 to include people with HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis.

What is a “reasonable adjustment”?
Anything you can reasonably be expected to provide or change in order to improve access for a range of people with disabilities. This means physical adjustments to a building, for example providing a ramped entrance, modified toilet or clearer signage, as well as adapting your service or providing extra help to people who might need it.

Click here for some simple ideas of how to improve disabled access without breaking the bank. For useful contacts and links, click here.