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auntysmash  
#1 Posted : 02 October 2014 09:30:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
auntysmash

Struggling to find a definitive answer on this one....

I know we have to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and I know you would obviously do the same if you were a service provider / shop etc.

But what if you are a private office who receives occasional visitors? Is there any legal duty here to make reasonable adjustments? If so, where is it written? We had a recent case where a supplier arrived on our site and only then it became evident they were significantly disabled (motorised wheelchair and even an accompanying carer) and could not get in the building. Admittedly we hadn't asked in advance about such requirements, but then they hadn't told us either. If we had known in advance we would have booked a meeting room off site with good access.

So, is there a legal duty to ensure all buildings are accessible 'just in case'? Or would you ask about potential disabilities in advance when booking meetings with suppliers etc.? Or do you just make sure all your buildings are fully accessible anyway, regardless of legal obligation?

You may have guessed already, but I am trying to test the water / build a case to justify expenditure for disabled access improvements.....


Thanks

Stu
walker  
#2 Posted : 02 October 2014 11:06:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

Just my opinion but:

Reasonable adjustments is what it says
Whats reasonable for a shop or places that the public might access is not the same as reasonable for a small office.
Be aware that disabled does not equal a wheel chair user (too often organisations look no further than this) it could be, for instance, use of an entry phone or suchlike excludes a deaf person.
I think this instance the supplier got it wrong too - they should have commmunicated ahead.....and then you would have made the "reasonable adjustments" you describe.

If there is a legal duty of "just incase" I can see instances of every government organisation blatantly breaking the law.
walker  
#3 Posted : 02 October 2014 11:12:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

bit off topic but look what you an get away with:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/new...-leicestershire-29335424

Why hasn't the ATOS boss been dragged through the criminal courts over this?
Ron Hunter  
#4 Posted : 02 October 2014 17:09:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

walker wrote:
bit off topic but look what you an get away with:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/new...-leicestershire-29335424

Why hasn't the ATOS boss been dragged through the criminal courts over this?


Why blame ATOS? What clown in the Whitehall Procurement process failed to foresee that premises concerned with assessment of those with disabilities might require access by people with disabilities?
This should be a material condition of Contract between ATOS and the relevant Government Department!

As for "dragged through the criminal courts" - I don't believe failure to comply with the Equality Act constitutes a criminal offence? (Open to correction here, folks!)
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