Article Index
Disability Discrimination Act - Access To Goods And Services
Introduction
About this guide
How the Disability Discrimination Act affects you
Disabled customers
Meeting the needs of your customers
Equality, dignity and respect
Principles to bear in mind
Identifying and finding the premises
Approaching the premises
Entering the premises
Making doors easier to use
Finding the way around
Lighting
Moving about within the premises
Communicating with staff
Getting to goods and services
Queuing systems, waiting areas and seating
Counters, service desks and checkouts
Information about goods and services
Customer toilets
Getting out of the premises
Public or common areas
Where to get further help and technical advice
Northern Ireland
Publications
Organisations

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Disability Discrimination Act - Access To Goods And Services For The Disabled

Making Access to Goods and Services Easier for Disabled Customers: A Practical Guide for Small Businesses and Other Service Providers

Improving lighting conditions in your premises can be of particular benefit to customers with partial sight.

Practical suggestions:

Highlighting hazardous areas: could you add extra lighting in potentially hazardous areas like stairwells or changes in level, and ensure that your lighting does not cause pools of bright light and shadow on the walls and floors concealing potentially hazardous objects in the shade?

Maximising light: ensure that windows, lamps and blinds are kept clean in order to maximise available light and that blown light bulbs are swiftly replaced.

Highly reflective surfaces: large surfaces of a white or highly reflective finish (such as ceramic tiles, mirrors or stainless steel) may create glare and reflection, causing problems for people with partial sight. Could your lighting be adjusted or relocated to reduce these effects.

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