Disability Discrimination
Act (DDA) compliance brings extra benefits for
service-providers, says Contacta
Some service-providers
may be underestimating the operational benefits
of DDA compliance for the hard-of-hearing,
says Contacta. The company is also encouraging
organisations not to overlook the statutory
requirement to ensure that all systems are
properly maintained and checked on a regular
basis.
The final phase
of the Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA) came fully
into force on 1st October 2004. It is
now illegal for any organisation that
provides services to the public to treat
disabled people – whether customers
or staff – less favourably than
others for reasons related to their disability.
Hearing impairment is a recognised disability
under the DDA.
Simon Thomas,
Contacta’s Managing Director, believes
that there are still many service-providers
who have yet to comply fully with the
DDA by providing induction loops for hearing
aid wearers. He also says that, as well
as risking legal action, these organisations
are thereby delaying an outstanding opportunity
to enhance their customers’ experience
of the services concerned.
“ It isn’t
just a question of simply putting in enough
auxiliary aids to satisfy the legislation.
It’s more to do with achieving a less
daunting, more welcoming environment for
the hard-of-hearing. It’s a valuable
way of giving them greater confidence in
being able to participate fully and successfully
in whatever transactions or conversations
are taking place. It means less risk of
misunderstandings – and more chance
of positive rewards in terms of customer
loyalty. ”
Contacta is
the UK’s leading provider of induction
loops with its Infoloop™ systems
– and provides a unique start-to-finish
support programme for service-providers.
This starts from an initial, expert audit
of the operational environment in each
service type and function, and of DDA
compliance needs for hearing aid wearers,
whether visiting or working there. Contacta’s
comprehensive expertise then continues
through specification, installation and
staff training, to after sales service
and scheduled maintenance routines.
Simon Thomas also
stresses the importance of proper maintenance
checks on all equipment: “ Having
the auxiliary aids in place isn’t
quite the whole story as far as DDA compliance
is concerned. The systems must also be available
and working properly at all times. That’s
why we encourage our clients to take advantage
of Contacta planned maintenance programmes,
just to be sure that their customers are
not disappointed and inconvenienced.”
