By October 2004 every business will need to be more user-friendly to Britain’s 8.6 million disabled people.
New legislation introduced under the Disability Discrimination Act is estimated to affect over 2 million British businesses from the local shop to offices or public buildings.
70% of disabled people interviewed by the DRC are unhappy about the lack of suitable access and under the new legislation businesses will have to adapt their facilities or risk a heavy financial penalty.
The DRC have today launched an Open4All Campaign to help businesses understand the new legislation and benefit from the £50 billion annual spending power of disabled people.
A new website, www.open4all.org will also be available to provide practical advice and information to those affected by the changes.
Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, said: “Every business has just one year to make the improvements needed to welcome disabled customers. The DRC is here to help British business be open for all. Small improvements will bring great benefits. Businesses will avoid the penalties of failing to make changes and reap the dividends of the £50 billion annual spending power of disabled people.”
