Accessibility & the Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 provides rights and certain protections to persons with ‘protected characteristics’. It also places duties on organisations not to engage in ‘prohibited conduct’ which includes direct and indirect discrimination, failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons, harassment or victimisation, discrimination arising from a disability and discrimination by association, to name a few examples.

Civil action may be taken against the organisation if it has been found to have discriminated against a person or group of persons with a ‘protected characteristic’. Employees, workers and volunteers also may take action in the Employment Tribunal which may result in fines.

Places of worship have a duty to:

• Consider any physical features of the premises that could prevent the use of its services by disabled persons. This would include access to the church, parts of the interior, use of toilets, noticeboards, churchyards and paths. Reasonable adjustments should be made to alter or remove the problem, provide a way to avoid it or offer an alternative method of making the service available.
• Take reasonable steps to provide auxiliary aids such as induction loops for hearing aid users, handrails or large-print service sheets.

Important note

Consider painting the edges of low ramps with bright hazard paint.