Accessible Facilities and Compliance

With the Disability Discrimination Act

 

Extracts from Guidance Notes for RFU Clubs

 

 

4. RFU best practice

 

The RFU has an Equity Policy which encourages an inclusive approach at all levels of the game. Within the RFU President’s commitment to inclusion, the DDA Part III has to be considered “good practice” for all RFU member clubs, who should review their facilities in light of the forthcoming legal requirements. However, it also has to be recognised that all service providers may not have totally accessible facilities by October 2004. In terms of the spirit of the law, clubs need to demonstrate that they have acknowledged the change in legislation, perhaps through an internal audit of the facility, and be aware of the many changes that need to be “reasonably” undertaken to ensure compliance.

 

There is no definitive explanation of “reasonable”. The law uses this phrase to give some flexibility and allow different solutions in different situations. The Code of Practice advises that “reasonable” may vary according to:

·      The type of service provided

·      The nature of the service provider and its size and resources

·      The effect of the disability on the individual disabled person

 

 

5. Implications for clubs

 

Rugby clubs vary in size and resource and when considering any adjustments which may need to be reasonably made, this needs to be taken into account. For example, a small club running two teams would not be expected to make the same provisions as a large club which is run commercially and is hiring its facilities out to the community.

 

Equally, any club which has received public funds to develop or improve facilities would be expected to ensure that it has made reasonable efforts to comply. However, all clubs should be able to provide evidence that they are aware of the Act and have acknowledged this through an audit process.

 

 

9. Further information and guidance

 

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) publish a guide providing useful information entitled “Making access to goods and services easier for disabled customers”. In addition, many local authorities employ access officers, who visit premises and offer advice. Alternatively, the local council may be able to put you in touch with a local Disabled Access Group. A further source of advice may come from actually asking a person with a disability about what changes would benefit them.

 

RFU RL DDA Helpline

Steve Farr Tel: 020 8831 7479 Shabir Hussain Tel: 0121 245 1537

Email: stevefarr@rfu.com Email: shabir.hussain@rlf.co.uk

 

Statutory bodies and organisations

 

Centre for Accessible National Register

Environments of Access Consultants (NRAC)

Tel: 020 7357 8182 Tel: 020 7234 0434

Web: www.cae.org.uk Web: www.nrac.org.uk

 

Disability Rights Sport England

Commission (DRC) Tel: 020 7273 1500

Tel: 08457 622 633 Web: www.sportengland.org.uk

Web: www.drc-gb.org