Keywords
Citation
(2002), "Otis calls for more clarity on the impact of the DDA", Facilities, Vol. 20 No. 1/2. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2002.06920aab.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Otis calls for more clarity on the impact of the DDA
Otis calls for more clarity on the impact of the DDAKeywords: Building maintenance, Safety, Disabled people, Legislation
Otis, the lift and escalator manufacturer, recently announced the results of a nation wide customer survey on awareness of the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Otis surveyed a cross section of customers involved in the building maintenance management sectors. Over 120 responses were received. The results show widespread confusion as to the impact of the DDA. More than half of the respondents (54 per cent) did not think that they understood the full implications of the legislation.
Of those surveyed, 86 per cent also felt that the Government had not provided the industry with enough information on the potential impact of the DDA. The legislation looks set to have a serous impact on all building owners and managers. In basic terms, the act makes it illegal for service providers to discriminate against others on the grounds of disability.
Owners and managers must act fairly to all and make reasonable provisions to allow access to not only public areas, but also the work environment. It would be wrong to deny access to certain parts of a building on the basis of disability, just as if you operate a business it would be wrong to deny employment because the prospective candidate could not access the building in its current state.
Derek Smith, Technical Sales Support Director at Otis commented: "We carried out this research because of the major consequences this new legislation could have for so many of our customers. It is very worrying that such a high proportion of responses indicate concern about the level of information that has been made available.
"Otis is committed to working in partnership with its customers and is making its experts available to provide consultation and advice to those that need it."
For more information on how the DDA could affect your business, please contact Otis via its Web site: www.otis.com