The UK Disability Bureau (UK-DB)

State Registered Occupational Therapists and Disability Consultants

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Examples of physical alterations
needed to premises

So, from 2004 service providers (anyone who provides a service or sells products to the public) - no matter how small the enterprise - will now have to consider making reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.

What do ‘physical features’ mean?

For the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act
“A physical feature includes anything on the premises arising from the design of the building or its construction or from an approach to, or exit from or access to the building; fixtures, fittings, furnishings, furniture, equipment or materials; and any other physical element or quality of land in the premises all whether temporary or permanent”.

Physical features that will be affected include:-

Steps, stairways, kerbs, exterior surfaces and paving/pathways, parking areas, building entrances and exits (including emergency escape routes), internal and external doors, floor gradients and levels, corridors/aisles, gates, toilet and washing facilities, public service facilities (such as telephones, counters or service desks), lighting and ventilation, lifts and escalators, floor coverings, signs, furniture, temporary or moveable items (such as equipment and display racks), outdoor physical features such as paths and seating in a garden open to members of the public who are customers.

These are only a few simple examples and certainly do not represent an exhaustive list.

Select Page 4 button ‘Organisations affected’
for examples of business and other enterprises
affected under the new 2004 law.