Providing Access for Visitors

The Equality Act 2010 and, before it, the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act aim to end the discrimination that many disabled people face. These acts give disabled people rights in the areas of employment, education and access to goods, facilities and services (such as shops, accommodation and visitor attractions). For more information about the Act, visit www.EqualityHumanRights.com

Equality Act in practice
It is unlawful for service providers to treat people less favourably because of disability and they must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for them, such as giving extra help or changing the way they provide their services. Every situation is different and as such, the adjustments made by each organisation will vary. What is considered a reasonable adjustment for a large organisation, like a bank, may be different from a reasonable adjustment for a small local shop. It is about what is practical in the service provider’s individual situation and what resources the business may have.

What it means for you
It is important to think about making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers for disabled people who are (or may want to become) your service users, customers or clients. Consider how you can ensure that the services you provide are accessible for people with a hearing loss, with or without hearing aids. At Connevans we are committed to playing an active role in providing solutions to meet the requirements of the Equality Act for deaf and hard of hearing people. Whether you’re a deaf person or a service provider ‒ if you have any query about the assistive equipment which can or should be provided, call or email our experienced team.