Disability Discrimination Act Legislation Information The duties on service providers have been introduced in three stages: Since 2nd December 1996 - It has been unlawful for service providers to treat disabled people less favorably for a reason related to their disability; Since 1st October 1999 - Service providers have had to make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services. Since 1st October 2004 - Service providers may have to make other 'reasonable adjustments' in relation to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From October 1st 2004 -where a physical feature makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to access your goods or services, your organisation is required to take reasonable steps to: *Remove the feature; or *Alter it so it no longer has that effect; or *Provide a reasonable means of avoiding the feature; or *Provide a reasonable alternative method of making the service available. Disabled individuals will be entitled to financial compensation and other legal remedies where they are affected by a breach of these requirements. The Disability Rights Commission can provide assistance to individuals in making legal challenges, and also has the power to launch strategic investigations if they believe that an organisation is in breach of the DDA. For Further Information regarding legislation or wheel chair access please do not hesitate to contact us. Here at The Accessible Site our business is Accessibility.

We believe passionately that all businesses should cater for the needs of the disabled population.
Apart from any moral arguments, it makes sense to be disabled friendly.

The Accessible Site is your One-Stop service for

Web Site Accessibility - Learn more..
Making your web site accessible is a sound financial investment that can repay for itself many times over.
Let us ask you the following questions:
"Do you want a web site that is inaccessible and hard to use?"
or "Do you want to exclude 20% of your visitors?"

The Accessible Site offers the following services:
Accessibility & Usability Audits - Single page snapshots Free , sites from £49.00
Real-Time User Testing - Real users test your site for you
Staff Training - Accessibility, Usability & CSS Training Courses
Accessibility Consultations - Advice and solutions as and when required
Accessible Site Templates - Scores of accessible web sites, be online in 5 Days
New Site Design and Implementation - Initial Design to Implementation Service
Update Existing Sites - Convert your current site to an accessible site
SEO for new or existing sites - No visitors? Use the latest Optimisation Tactics
Google Adwords PPC Campaigns - Start getting visitors to your site TODAY
Excellent Hosting Deals Also Available - 1/2 Price Webfusion Hosting Deals

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The Accessible Database - Learn more..
Our unique database details Accessible Web Sites and Business Premises.
As a member you are able to search our database of registered Web Sites or Businesses in any chosen area that offer a level of accessibility that you require.

Web Sites are awarded 1, 2 or 3 Stars depending on the level of Accessibility Criteria that they meet as measured against the current WAC standards.

Business Premises have 10 Accessibility Facilities they can claim to meet. The Facilities are grouped and businesses are given either a 1, 2 or 3 Stars Award depending on the level of facilities they offer customers.
Only Businesses that offer all 10 facilities are awarded 3 Stars.

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Premise Accessibility - Learn more..
The last phase of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 , which came into force in October 2004, requires that service providers, ranging from large corporations to small family run businesses, may have to make 'reasonable adjustments' to the physical features of their premises that create barriers for disabled customers.

Bert Massie, Chairman of Disability Rights Commission said, "Disabled people should have the same choices as other people. Companies who do not get it right and have no intention of getting it right will encounter disabled people taking legal action against them with the full support of the Disability Rights Commission.
Those that do the right thing will benefit from the spending power of 8.5 million disabled people and their families."
The Accessible Site contains information for Businesses owners with practical, cost effective solutions to problems arising under the new legislation. Businesses can apply for accreditation to the 'We Are Accessible' Scheme based on a sliding scale of implementation

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We Are Accessible Scheme - Learn more..
So, you have gone to the effort and maybe in some circumstances not inconsiderable expense to ensure that your Web site or Premises comply with the regulations... What's Next? How do you now benefit from this investment? How can you let the potential 8.5 million extra customers out there know that you are now accessible to them?

The Accessible Site has started a Nationwide Accreditation Scheme

Web sites and Business Premises are assessed and awarded either a 1, 2 or 3 Star Level of accreditation. Potential users or customers will know at a glance by the star rating whether a web site or business is accessible for their particular needs.
Businesses will be able to display the We Are Accessible Logo in prominent positions on their advertising copy, stationary, company vehicles, premises and/or on their Web site. Members of the We Are Accessible Scheme will automatically be added to the Accessible Database