Do you know how your business is performing when it comes to offering access for customers? If not then you need to carry out an access audit immediately. You may not be fully complying with important DDA legislation if you are not offering full accessibility for all customers to your premises.

Accessibility Issues

The DDA covers accessibility issues for disabled people in everyday life. This includes the way in which they can access and use public buildings and business premises.

- You may not have considered just how a disabled person may be able to access your business.

- There could be obstructions and poor interior/exterior design features that could be preventing them from using your business premises.

- You could be losing out on loyal customers and also failing to reach standards set by the DDA for accessibility.

- An access audit can help you to resolve problems with access. These access audits will review your business premises from the parking through to the interior layout of your buildings.

- This will identify any areas in which you are failing to meet your obligations.

- An access audit will be able to offer recommendations on how you can improve accessibility for disabled customers (both mobility and sensory impaired).

- This includes assessment of new and also existing business properties.

- An access audit can help you to meet your obligations as a business and ensure you are complying lawfully with DDA legislation.

Who Needs Access Audits?

If you own business premises then you will need to consider an access audit. It does not matter whether you are a small family run business or a large corporation. You need to ensure that your buildings are accessible for both customers and also your staff.

- DDA is particularly important if you operate business premises that are open to the public. This includes places like shops, retail warehouses, leisure centres, salons and so on.

- An access audit can help you to make certain your premises are accessible for people that may have mobility or sensory issues.

- This can include factors such as providing ramps for wheelchairs or wheelchairs lifts.

Ignoring DDA legislation is not optional. An access audit can help you identify areas in which you need to improve to comply with the relevant legislation.