An example of PC madness - opinions?

nope its the disabilty discrimiantion act which was passed in 1995, but not all sections of that act were implemented immediately. It was intended that organsiation would incorporate the changes required by the act when they started to make any alteration to their premises.

you can get round some of the requirements by demonstrating to the council that you can make adequate provision for reasonable expectations of accomodating disabled people. but you cannot escape it completely

You may well find that the DWP or your local authority may give a grant towards improving the frontage access, certainly worth checking it out.

I'm also certain that some of your clients have difficulties walking, even if they don't use a wheelchair, and so would "silently" appreciate the improvement in all events. I have no right kneecap, and yet you wouldn't know to see me walking on the level, just when I use steps!

In all events, it's the sort of publicity the business really doesn't want to be involved in! Headlines in your local paper like "Local accountants in disabled access row" don't read so good, regardless of the underlying facts of the matter!

My advice is turn a "negative" into a positive and invite a local dignatary to the "grand opening" of your improved access frontage instead and be a trend-setter - you might even start getting some new "disabled" clients on top. (After all there are plenty of compensation payments for long-term injuries being awarded these days y'know!)

You will be aware of those French automatic toilets that are installed on pavements around London. A couple of years ago a dozen or so were installed around New York City as a temporary experiment, with two, larger, disabled toilets as well.

The disabled objected and rejected the comments of the toilet firm that generalised supply of larger toilets would make them venues for sex; that the disabled ones were usable only with special cards held by disabled persons.

The end result was that at the end of the trial period all the toilets were removed and the project abandoned. Better that there should be no toilets at all (despite public conveniences being rare in New York) than that the disabled should not have access to all.

I would suggest a removable ramp on the high street to comply with the law....I work in an accountancy office on a main street where there is no room for disabled access.and we also have no disabled clients....that was the only way to placate the powers that be...put it out in the morning and bring it in at night...a nightmare...as we are now waiting on the complaints..... as we!!! have to keep the parking bay outside our office free of cars just to allow access that will never be used. We argued that we visit our clients at home if need be... to no avail.

Rules are rules my friend, we all abide by them.

Personally, i think its disgraceful putting some old shop front above the needs of the disabled. I seriously think shoving them to the rear entrance IS a form of discrimination. Swallow the pride and just do it

Perhaps you should have looked into building regs before doing any renovations and if you do goto your mp then I hope He/she sees that the law is upheld. Just an idea but could you offer home visits for disabled customers? Could be a money spinner..

Having studied British politics for it sluggish, I even have come to the tip that if labour placed a Jack Russel up for election the working type blue collar workers might vote for it. i'm generalising of direction, yet what share miners or steel workers vote sensibly and vote for a Candidate that is going to be sturdy for the country. all of them look to think of they could desire to vote on type lines extremely than what's clever. only look back in history, purely 50 years, the country grew to become into at its maximum suitable while the Conservatives have been working the country. The socialists get in on a wave of emotion, tax all and sundry to the hilt, get the country into horrendous debt, supply poor provider and then the Conservatives could desire to get in and make issues better out. only while issues are doing ok, then the country is going mad and places the socialists back in. Its all there to work out and learn. I cant say that our politics are to any extent further clever right here interior the USA of a, yet I do believe we vote for the guy extremely than some stupid type element. Bye the way, I recommend honestly no disrespect to the Jack Russells of this worldwide, as a breed i think of they're gutsy little canines. Come to think of of it they could do greater clever than the government you have on the 2d.

I am well aware of the new laws, regarding the disabled,and that the government is making local councils enforce it with vigour,but can they really make you ramp a public pavement , would it not be , in its self, a danger?

It is ridiculous. But its the new laws im afraid! If i was disabled i wouldnt have a problem with using the 'back door'. As long as i could get in if needed then that would be fine!

Good luck, i would be fuming aswell.

dont know what council you are, but here in coventry a simp[le removable ramp at the front, with a disbaled button to cal lfor assistance suffices.. many shops in the city centre have no direct off the main streets access, (because of access and teh risk assesment to ordinary pedestrians)

yes, i agree its a nightmare. but dont blame the folks in wheelchairs, i'll bet none of us asked to be in one... and at the end of the day, you want our money..because thats the nature of bussiness... so stop whingeing, your mp wil laugh yu out of his surgery...but not until he's offered you patitudes and secured your vote...mps dont have any power at local governemtn level, youre better off appealing to the DDA ombudsman...who may or may-not do anything.