It looks like  the uk will soon be requiring accessibility from commercial
businesses.  It appears that specific regulations will be issued in the
fall.  Predictably, the business community is up in arms, as the font page
of yesterday's Financial times demonstrates below.

kelly



the Financial Times
FRONT PAGE - FIRST SECTION:
  28 Apr 99
Shops face big costs to improve access for disabled.

   By SIMON BUCKBY
All businesses serving the public - from banks to corner shops -
will be required to improve access to Britain's 8.5m disabled
people by October. The changes will cost businesses - both public
and private sector - up to Pounds 230m in the first instance,
then up to Pounds 280m a year, the government estimates.
It announced yesterday that it would enforce fully the 1995
Disability Discrimination Act, thereby ending Labour's hesitation
about the cost. The act, which already applies to company
employees, will require businesses to make "reasonable
adjustments" to allow full access to customers. A code of
practice to advise businesses will be published in June.
Physical barriers restricting access to services, such as the
absence of wheelchair ramps, must be removed by 2004. It is
estimated these changes could cost more than Pounds 1.23bn.
Ruth Lea, head of policy at the Institute of Directors, said: "We
are worried about the size of the total costs as it is unclear
what is meant by 'reasonable adjustments'."
She pointed out that there were no exemptions for small
businesses. "We are also concerned that many will simply ignore
these regulations and end up in court with a hefty fine."
Margaret Hodge, minister for the disabled, said: "They
(businesses) will have to do only what is reasonable in their
individual circumstances, which includes taking account of the
resources available to them." By October, shops could change
their lay-out to accommodate wheelchairs. Joe Korner, spokesman
for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, said: "These
reforms have been a long time coming and while it is hard to put
a figure on the costs, they are likely to be much less than
expected." Drive to combat red tape, Page 12
 Companies:  Institute of Directors (IOD). Labour Party (UK).
Countries:  GB United Kingdom, EC.
 Industry:   P9441 Administration of Social and Manpower
Programs.  Actuary:    Media, Broadcasting Contractors.
 Subject:    Government - Central. Health issues & Health care.
Human              Rights. Politics. Social Issues. Standards &
Specifications.  Types:      Stories.
 MCC Type:   NEWS  General news.

The Financial Times
Page 1
Copyright (C) The Financial Times Ltd, 1997


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