DDA Access Audits

The Disability Discrimination Act and Access Audits are important for every office refurbishment project

At ODAPS Ltd we have taken a pro-active approach to the Disability Discrimination Act. We provide in-house expertise for Access Audits and 'inclusive design', and help our clients establish an access strategy. This can be done independently, and is always included in a refurbishment.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has been introduced in phases over a number of years, with the final Part 3 coming into effect on 1st October 2004 for physical access.

This is a retrospective form of legislation and will apply to all premises, service providers, etc both old and new. The Act under Part 3, in broad terms, makes it unlawful for the providers of goods, services and facilities to discriminate against people with disabilities

ODAPS staff fully understand the Disability Discrimination Act and have been trained to carry out Access Audits

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 categorises a disability as:

"...a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a persons ability to carry out day to day activities"

From the 1st October 2004 , service providers have a duty to remove, alter, provide reasonable means of avoiding, or provide reasonable alternative method of making a service available to disabled person(s) where dealing with physical features.

The implication of this legislation goes much further than providing ramps for wheelchairs. Service providers must now make provision for a whole range of impairments, such as visual and hearing impairments, learning difficulties, mobility problems etc.

On the 1st May 2004 the revised Approved Document M (Access to Facilities and Buildings) of the Building regulations came into effect. This sets out minimum standards to be achieved and applies to both new build and refurbishment works.

At ODAPS Ltd, we have invested in training our staff in disability awareness and carrying out access audits. We always keep up to date with revised Approved Documents. Consequently, our clients can rely on our advice and ability when it comes to achieving an accessible environment.

This service can be provided as part of a refurbishment, or we can act solely as consultants, undertaking an Access Audit, making corrective recommendations with a programme and then establishing an access strategy.