Catering for visually impaired customers and employees

by Philip Henson of thePublican.com's legal team of experts from London solicitors Joelson Wilson​

The Disability Discrimination (blind and partially-sighted persons) Regulations 2003 come into force today (April 14).

These regulations will confirm that people who are certified blind or partially-sighted are disabled persons for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA).

Accordingly, discriminating against a person with a visual disability will be unlawful.

The minister for disabled people, Maria Eagle, stated that the new regulations "will make it clear that discriminating against people with a visual impairment is not acceptable".

The DDA outlaws discrimination against disabled people in employment, as well as in the supply of goods, facilities and services. Employers will need to ensure that they do not discriminate against blind and partially-sighted employees or job applicants. They will also need to consider whether there is a need to make workplace adjustments to accommodate blind or partially-sighted employees or customers.

The new regulations, though welcome, will inevitably impose financial burdens on the industry.

It is foreseeable that relevant adjustments will need to be made in workplaces, which may include installing large-button telephones, specific toilet facilities and lifts for partially-sighted employees. Employers should review workplace layouts to ensure that there are no obstacles that would hinder, or cause harm to, a blind or partially-sighted person.

Some operators have already developed specific facilities for people with a visual disability. The Russell Hotel in Bognor Regis, for example, was specifically built last year for blind and partially sighted people. This hotel has features such as textured carpets to guide guests towards the reception desk, enlarged corridors to allow for two guide dogs, menus written in Braille and large-button telephones.

Some of these measures may have to be introduced to the pub trade increasingly in the future.