Disabled Access – Policy into Practice Using BS 8300 Workshop, Milton Keynes, 29 September 2004, organised by BSI

Citation

Blades, P. (2005), "Disabled Access – Policy into Practice Using BS 8300 Workshop, Milton Keynes, 29 September 2004, organised by BSI", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 35 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2005.01735aac.001

Disabled Access – Policy into Practice Using BS 8300 Workshop, Milton Keynes, 29 September 2004, organised by BSI

Disabled Access – Policy into Practice Using BS 8300 Workshop, Milton Keynes, 29 September 2004, organised by BSI

Food companies need to be aware of the implications of the new parts of the Disability’Discrimination Act (DDA) which came into force on 1 October 2004. Failure to comply with the DDA may result in an employer or service provider being taken to court or a tribunal where damages may be awarded and compliance required. It should be noted that the damages may be unlimited and also that individuals as well as organisations may be held liable. An important point to consider is that improving access for disabled persons creates or improves opportunities for employment. This should not be underestimated in today's employment market where it can be difficult’or’even impossible to recruit suitable staff. Disabled workers may well be able to fill recruitment needs purely as a result of minor improvements to facilities. Organisations can thus reap a business benefit as well as being socially and legally compliant.

The workshop undertook to show how BS 8300 (Design of Buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people: Code of Practice) can be used to solve DDA compliance challenges.

The workshop covered a review of the DDA including the importance of "Reasonable Adjustments" and the difference between rights and standards. It then moved on to consider problems facing disabled people in the built environment and gave some typical examples. BS 8300 was then reviewed and salient points discussed. Case studies were then used to demonstrate solutions to problems based upon BS 8300 and Part M of the Building Regulations. Finally future changes in the DDA were reviewed.

The workshop was attended by a diverse group covering public services, industry’and the care sector. An interesting and thought provoking start was the’challenge for delegates to visualise themselves with a range of disabilities and consider the problems they would face and how they would deal with them. This resulted in an interesting and lively discussion and exchange of thoughts and experiences.

The review of BS 8300 was excellent and just enough to whet the appetitie without delving too deeply into technicalities. It clearly demonstrated the vast amount of data and information contained within the standard. Cross reference and comparison with Part M was also very useful and informative.

The case studies which included a conference centre and seaside hotel were well presented and stimulating. The workshop facilitator ensured that lateral thinking was applied to problems observed and demonstrated that it is just not a matter of throwing money at a problem. A positive, lively discussion followed the case studies with all attendees participating.

The final session was a look forward to the future and concentrated on likely changes to the DDA over the next few years.

An excellent, cost effective workshop which was both professionally organised and presented. Delegates left feeling enthused and empowered with the knowledge of how to deal with difficult problems in a cost effective manner.

For details of further workshops please contact BSI Customer Services on Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001 or E-mail: info@bsi-global.com

Peter Blades, C.Eng., M.I.Mech.E.