Kingston Needs Easier Access For The Disabled

9.1.04

Or local businesses will lose out on share of £50 billion

Edward Davey MP for Kingston and Surbiton has joined the Disability Rights Commission's (DRC) Open4All campaign to urge local businesses in Kingston and Surbiton to act in the face of major new consumer legislation coming into force this year.

With an annual spending power of £50 billion, disabled people are a huge part of the consumer market and if businesses in Kingston fail to make improvements they will see the passing trade pass them by.

By 1st October, 2004, every business or service large or small - from the local shop to restaurants, health clubs, dentists and supermarkets - will need to become more user-friendly to Britain's 8.6 million disabled people in the biggest ever shake-up of consumer legislation.

The legislation, introduced under the Disability Discrimination Act, will mean businesses will need to adapt premises and remove physical barriers that make it difficult for disabled people to get fair treatment. Failure to do so could result in legal action.

Edward Davey commented:

"Businesses have less than a year to knock down barriers to access but research by the DRC shows 70% of disabled people find it difficult to get into shops or use services because of physical barriers like heavy doors."

"Kingston is very popular as a center for shopping and attracts people from miles around; it is important that disabled people have proper access to the outlets here and do not feel excluded because of poorly designed entrances and exits."

"I have joined the DRC's Open4All campaign to ensure local businesses get the message that Britain's 8.6 million disabled people not only have new rights but that there are real business benefits to making these improvements."

Further details available at www.open4all.org