WHO DOES IT APPLY TO?

If your facilities have an area open to public access, like a shop, sales counter, etc. then you are obliged to carry out a DDA assessment. An assessment can extend to your web site to ensure that visually impaired persons are able to use it fully.

WHY DO WE ASSESS?

To ensure that disabled people are not discriminated against in accessing or using your facilities, and that no one will be disadvantaged by having special requirements. Additionally it ensures that in the case of an incident disabled persons are not exposed to increased risks of injury.

WHAT SHOULD BE ASSESSED?

Signage, access, fire escape routes, fire refuges, emergency procedures, training, staff awareness of problems, services provision (toilets etc).

PREPARING FOR AN ASSESSMENT

A fire risk assessment needs to be carried out, and the areas that need to be accessible to a disabled person listed.

CARRYING OUT ASSESSMENTS

Assessments can be carried out by your own competent person or by an external consultant, the assessment looks at suitability of access, toilet facilities, emergency procedures, staff training, signage etc. and produces a report highlighting areas that would need improvement to meet the current legislation.

USING THE RESULTS

The act specifies that any adaptations that are ‘reasonably practical’ should be made to the premises to permit access, etc. however it may not always be possible to fulfil all of these needs due to other constraints such as listed building status, room for ramps, lack of lifts for multi floor areas and alternates may need to be looked at. The regulations only requires you to carry out the assessment and make any changes that are reasonably practical.

For more information on DDA Assessment