Churches and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
In a few years' time, churches could be faced with fines and compelled to make alterations to premises not accessible to disabled persons.
Part III of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act already requires 'service providers' with publicly accessible premises, including churches, to provide information and assistance for disabled persons by the end of 1998. Under guidelines agreed by the last government, auxiliary aids and services will need to be provided by mid 1999 and structural alterations by 2005. With the proposal to form a Disability Commission, there is pressure to bring this date forward.