Are you aware of your responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act and how it affects your business? The DDA is nowhere near as daunting or as inflexible as you might think - follow the link below to find more information and to read real-life stories and tips from small businesses to help you -

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/employers/dda/real-life-stories.asp?s=e2

The website and story sheets are full of useful examples and the adjustments are often easier than people might think. Although you are obliged by law to make your business and services accessible to disabled people and avoid discrimination, you may not be aware of what adjustments to make. 'Reasonable adjustments' does not mean restructuring your business and needn't involve great expense - it could be as simple as fitting a bell or buzzer on your outside door so that disabled customers can attract your attention, or installing a visual as well as audible fire alarm.

Small but crucial adjustments like these can make good business sense too. There are around 10 million disabled people in Britain, including those with limiting, long-term health conditions. And if they know they have equal access to your goods and services, they're more likely to become loyal customers and recommend you to others.

Besides, when a business takes disabled people into account, those changes are appreciated by an even wider customer base such as older people or parents with young children and pushchairs.

Anne McGuire MP
Minister for Disabled People
Department for Work and Pensions

November 2006

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