Disability Discrimination Act Part 3 Service Provision

Part 3 places duties on those providing goods, facilities or services to the public, and those selling, letting or managing premises.

The Act makes it unlawful for service providers, landlords and other persons to discriminate against disabled people in certain circumstances.

Vertical and Inclined Platform lifts are considered to be a 'physical feature' under the Act. The installation of these lifts may be proposed to overcome an existing barrier to access. For example an upper floor with no lift access, or a change in floor level within a storey could both use a lifting device to remove existing or potential barriers to access thereby promoting equal access.

Conversely, the inappropriate location of a lift or placement of controls in an inaccessible location, may itself create a physical barrier. In these situations it may wise to think about making adjustments to alter or remove the barrier altogether.

Guidance on what may be considered reasonable adjustment can be found in the Code of Practice.