Posted By Richard
I'm afraid it's not just a matter of sitting back and doing nothing because you're in a listed building. You have to show that you have made "reasonable provision", a bit like our own beloved "reasonably practicable"!
I don't know what sort of financial services you provide, but it may be possible for you to offer your service in clients' homes using a laptop, or to rent temporary office space from a neighbouring business. Whatever, you're going to make some effort.
To give you some practical examples from my own experience -
Local shop staff made twelve trips up and down stairs to bring items for viewing. We were then allowed, on payment of the necessary deposit, to take three garments, the maximum able bodied persons were allowed to take into the shop's own changing rooms, home to try on;
A takeaway brought their menu out to the car, took the order, brought the food out, took the money and brought us change;
When we had an appointment at our bank's new two storey premises we were asked to wait twenty minutes while a staff member finished her business with an existing customer, then vacated her ground floor office to allow our adviser to use it for us
When we visit our (NHS) dentist we are asked to go late on a Thursday afternoon so that our dentist can use a ground floor surgery normally only used by a partner exclusively in private practice.
Other shops, unable to alter the steps leading into their premises, keep a ramp available which is put in place whenever disabled customers need access.
You'd be surprised what can be achieved if you set your mind to it. Do what we would do if we had an unfamiliar H&S problem – ask an expert, not just on this forum but in your local area.
On the other hand, there will sometimes be genuine circumstances when you are unable to make the necessary provisions. Some years ago we had a client who wished to join evening classes in woodwork. Despite being officially registered 100% visually impaired, it was obvious from his work, and the presence of a full set of digits, that he knew his way around lathes, saws and planers. Our insurance company, and the lecturer's trade union (never forget your trade unions – they really do have lot of knowledge on a wide range of subjects) were happy to go along with whatever HSE guidelines were given. Although not strictly within HSE's remit, as usual they went out of their way to help, but the bottom line was that they only wanted to see one to one teaching. They rightly pointed out that while the client could operate perfectly safely in his own workshop, he knew every nail and knothole in the place; the same could not be said for a workshop with unfamiliar industrial machines and a dozen inexperienced people about. The one to one requirement mad the whole project too expensive and we reluctantly had to refuse the client, which he accepted once the circumstances were explained.
Don't forget also those who have an impairment other than mobility. Do you have a hearing loop or can any of your staff sign? Do your emergency and welfare signs carry Braille translations? If you have someone who needs to inject (e.g. a diabetic) are there private facilities available? The toilet would not normally be regarded as adequate for this purpose.
Like Health & Safety, you should have a policy, and a nominated member of staff to deal with disability issues. This matter will have to be addressed sooner rather than later, and it has been estimated that four fifths of businesses will not be ready when the full DDA provisions come into force in less that six months time.
I'm afraid it is unlikely that you will find the disabled allowing any period of grace. I know at least one shop where they have been so rude to disabled people, , on so many occasions ("You can't come in here; there's no room in here for people like you"), that they will be queuing up on October 1st to check that "reasonable provision" has been made!
Richard