SMEs urged to prepare for forthcoming disability laws

Small firms are being advised to ensure they are prepared for the forthcoming changes to disability legislation, which come into force on 1 October 2004.

The new rules cover the issues of physical access and employment for disabled persons, and will apply to SMEs and larger business alike.

Under the new legislation, all service providers will have a duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises, so that disabled people do not face barriers to access.

Employers with fewer than 15 staff will also be obliged to make sure that disabled workers are treated fairly.

SMEs are advised to review their employment policies to ensure that they are not discriminatory, and to make sure that their business premises are accessible to people with disabilities.

More information on the new obligations for businesses is available on the Disability Rights Commission's Open4All website.