Accessibility

To obtain further information on this subject or any other disability related topic please go to www.drc-gb.org
 
Many adjustments don’t involve physical changes to premises. However, where such changes are necessary, employers may need to take account of other considerations;
 
Employers, and others who have duties under Part 2 of the DDA, have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where a physical feature of premises places a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage compared with people who are not disabled.
 
If you are an employer, you may need to obtain consent for changes under a lease or other binding obligation.
 
You must remember, however, that even where you are not given consent you must still consider what other reasonable adjustments can be made to overcome the disadvantage which the physical feature causes for the disabled person.
 
Statutory consent
 
Statutory consents include planning permission, building regulations approval or a building warrant in Scotland and listed building consent. The duty to make reasonable adjustments does not override the need to obtain these consents.
 
The processes involved in getting these consents can take time. In the meantime you may need to take interim measures that don’t need consent to overcome the disadvantages experienced by the disabled person.
 
Where consent is refused, it may be reasonable for you to appeal against the decision.

For further information please contact us