The Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), headed by Bert Massey opened its doors for business today. The Disability Rights Commission not only acts as a resource of information and advice for the public, employers, business and service providers but it also has the power to formally investigate cases.
Su Peace, Access Consultant with Buro Happold, welcomes the Commission. “Service providers, property owners, designers and the construction industry should be taking all steps to ensure that their buildings and designs do not discriminate against people with any form of disability. If they do not check that their buildings comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, they could leave themselves vulnerable to possible legal action. By 2004, if a person with disability cannot gain access to a building, he or she could take action against the service provider for reasonable adjustment to be made to the building, and compensation. Designers working on buildings now must take this issue into account.”
“The Act is a great step forward for disabled people. Although, it is a shame that it took so long for access to be recognised as a key issue, and that it has taken legislation to ensure this. However we welcome the environment the Act creates, allowing comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people. Service providers and designers should not be afraid of the Act. Rather, they should see it as an opportunity to widen their markets and provide accessible environments for all. '
During the Disability Discriminations Act's first year more people took their employers to court than people did under the Race or Sex Discrimination Acts. One such case British Sugar v Kirker in 1997 resulted in a pay out of £103,000. (Statistics from the report: Monitoring the Disability, DFEE, 1999)