Home > News > November 2005 > 25-Nov-2005

New DDA provisions could leave companies exposed

Thousands of UK companies are ill prepared for the new provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA) - which is coming into force between now and December 2006 - and are leaving themselves vulnerable to litigation. That's the view of Maurice Press, managing director of Disability Resource Team (DRT).

"Lack of basic disability awareness training will see increasing numbers of organisations at tribunal," said Press. "In particular, it is small and medium-sized companies, who could ill afford the financial penalty, who are leaving themselves exposed. Indeed, there were more cases taken under the employment provisions of the DDA in its first year than there were of the Sex Discrimination Act or Race Relations Act in their first years.

"Disability groups and charities have been extremely active in trying to raise awareness of the extended rights of people with disabilities that the DDA delivers. Combined with the introduction of unlimited discrimination payments and solicitors now in line to take action against those who do not comply, the need for organisations to ensure their staff are 'disability aware' has never been more pressing."

DRT offers a portfolio of disability awareness training designed to help organisations be disability friendly and stay within the law. DRT also provides a transcription service, transcribing the written word into Braille and large format print and onto tape, disk and CD.

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