With only 4 months until major changes to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), the second annual Access All Areas Awards have been launched.
The awards, run by the Department for Work & Pensions, aim to “recognise and congratulate” small- and medium-sized businesses that have made their services available to disabled people in innovative and creative ways.
From 1 October 2004 the DDA will be extended to include all small businesses, including those with less than 15 employees that are currently exempt. This means that all firms will be obliged to not discriminate against disabled employees and customers. In addition, from the same date, small businesses must be sure not to discriminate against disabled people when recruiting or employing staff.
This year, awards will be given in the following categories:
- retail
- hotels, bars, pubs and eating establishments
- financial, legal and other business services
- entertainment and leisure
- health, beauty and hairdressing
- other public bodies, charity and voluntary organisations.
Winners and runners-up in each category will receive £500 and £200 respectively and will benefit from positive publicity. Entrants should be able to demonstrate the thinking behind changes they have made – for example, consulting with disabled customers – and should show what impact the changes have had on their business.
For an application form or more details, phone: 0845-124 9841, textphone: 1 800 1 0845 124 9841, fax: 0115 942 2335, email DDAinfopack@meads-ltd.co.uk or write to Access All Areas Awards, DDA Info Pack, PO Box 12, Nottingham, NG7 2GB. Alternatively, click here to apply online. The deadline for entries is 30 September 2004.
For more information on the Disability Discrimination Act, see our article, Disability and discrimination: know the law.
