Accessibility to goods, facilities & services

While it has always been good practice to actively consider the needs of disabled and older people in the design of systems, objects and environments, much inequality has remained within our society due to failure of designers to consider the needs of the widest range of users and customers.  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 now requires all organisations (large and small) to actively consider the needs of disabled and older people when designing products, systems and environments to provide fair access to goods, facilities and services. 

Your product, system or environment should consider the accessibility and usability needs of:

• Mobility impaired people (not just wheelchair bound);
• Sensory impaired people (e.g. blind, deaf & speech impaired);
• People with manual dexterity & physical coordination impairments;
• People with learning difficulties.

What are the implications for your organisation?  Do you know what you need to do in order to meet the requirements of this legislation?  Have you considered the advantages to your business of embracing accessibility requirements?

Key Benefits Ensuring your premises are accessible to the widest possible audience means more potential customers Considering accessibility needs proactively usually results in greater usability of your premises for all types of user Ensuring your business is compliant with the demands of the DDA legislation and avoiding litigation

Capabilities

MBCL can review your product, system or premises by conducting an Access Audit to ensure that you are doing what is necessary to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA).  We can provide you with a straightforward and practical risk based audit report that identifies aspects of your business which do not meet the legislative requirements, and other areas where you may be able to make simple but effective improvements.