Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – 2004

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 introduced new legislation aimed at ending the discrimination that many disabled people face in accessing goods and services. Whilst many service providers view the DDA as just another cost to their business and more red tape, increasingly large numbers of organisations see past this and focus on the compelling business case.

The DDA is all about increasing access to your products and services, and better access means more customers. With over 10 million disabled people in the UK, and an estimated £80 billion to spend, taking action to provide equal access to goods and services is financially rewarding as well as morally right and legally correct.

• Over 10 million disabled people in the UK
• £80 billion annual spending power
• 70% of disabled people are over 60 years old
• Almost 75% of the Nation’s wealth is held by the over 50’s
• £184 billion of annual income earned by the over 50’s
• More than 360,000 disabled people under 16

SMART Audit DDA Access Audit software

The most effective way to establish the impact that a building has on disabled people is to undertake an Access Audit!
This will clearly and thoroughly review any access issues facing a disabled person when accessing the goods and services you provide. Audits enable informed decision making about any adjustments that may be required and aids the formulation of an appropriate action plan.

The SMART Access Audit provides a radical new approach to access auditing. In addition to saving you time and resources to complete the audit, the process delivers information in a ‘living document’.

The SMART audit is completed on-site using SMART Audit DDA software, and DSJ’s own bespoke audit tool. Recorded data and images are compiled into a comprehensive Accessibility Report, providing a detailed assessment of the site including referenced photographs, and an Access Plan with prioritised actions and indicative costs to make the adjustments recommended.

Uniquely, as legislation changes and the Act is further defined by the Courts, DSJ will advise you of updates and prioritise recommendations contained within the Access Plan for any sites that have changed; ensuring that you always have the latest advice on how best to meet your obligations to provide equal access.