Leisure is no Fun if Businesses don't Comply with the DDA

A survey of pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas and other leisure venues taken in 2004, showed that four out of five leisure facilities do not provide proper access for disabled people. It is now unacceptable for leisure providers to be inaccessible for people with disabilities, following the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regulations that came into full force on 1st October 2004.

Providing or improving accessibility for disabled people doesn't have to be difficult, expensive, or get in the way of running a successful business. The DDA only requires leisure providers to make 'reasonable adjustments' to their buildings and facilities. A business will only be expected to do what is practical and affordable in their situation. Many of these adjustments are simple and low cost, such as changing the height of a door handle so that a wheelchair user can reach it, putting handrails up staircases and keeping aisles tidy. Larger businesses with a bigger budget may have to install ramps or platform lifts, but these need only have a minimal impact on the building. Changes such as these can be extremely positive for businesses, allowing some of the 8.6 million disabled people in Britain who might have been previously discouraged from using the facilities and services, to try them.

Platform lifts are typically installed to allow wheelchair users to negotiate two or three steps leading into a building, or flights of stairs inside one. They are usually compact with no pit or machine room requirement, and most are free standing and only require a single-phase power supply.

A platform lift is ideal for situations where a normal passenger lift or a wheelchair ramp is not possible. In existing or historic buildings, it can be difficult to find a balance between accessibility and preserving the character of the building. Small buildings may have insufficient space for a passenger lift. A platform lift can overcome these problems, when used in appropriate situations.

When installing a platform lift, landings must be at least 1,500mm2 or have a straight access route of at least 900mmwide. Floors in the entrance area and within the lift should be made of non-slip material, and the lift must be fitted with a handrail and emergency communication system, such as a telephone handset so assistance can be requested in the event of a problem.

Luminar plc, the largest operator of licensed latenight venues in the UK, boasting brands such as Chicago Rock Café, Oceana and Liquid, is ahead of the game with disabled access. Over the last few years, the company has had over twenty platform lifts from movemanSKG installed in a number of its venues.

One of the most recent is an installation of two platform lifts at the Time & Envy nightclub in Swansea. movemanSKG installed a Companion Prestige lift to take less able customers from the entrance level to the pay desk, and then up to the rest of the club, which is on two levels. The second lift was a Companion Supreme, situated on the lower level of the building and raising approximately one metre from the dance floor to the bar/seating level. The lifts have greatly improved disabled access, without spoiling the interior of the building.

New regulations state that leisure facilities and services must be accessible to all disabled people. Whether it's for a bar, library or leisure centre, platform lifts are a useful way of helping leisure providers ensure their property complies with the access requirements of the DDA.

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