Small businesses have been warned to act now or risk exposure to disability discrimination claims.
Compliance and risk assesment company Navigator Group issued the warning ahead of the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act, which is due to come into force in October 2004.
Director of access services at Navigator, Brendan O'Gorman warned that time is running out for businesses to plan and implement the changes necessary to protect themselves. He said that up to two million UK businesses may not be aware of the forthcoming changes.
He said: "From October 2004, two important changes take place. First, all employers, regardless of size, will have to comply with the Act's employment requirements. Small businesses will not be abel to discriminate against disabled employees. Secondly, the duties owed to disabled customers increase as all service providers are required to tackle physical barriers to access."
