Changes to legislation from 1 October 2004

DISABILITY

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) anyone providing services to the public, whether paid for or free, may now have to make changes to the physical features of their premises to ensure that disabled people can use their services.

Shops, banks, hotels, parks, pubs, cinemas, hospitals, advice agencies and professionals such as solicitors firms or estate agents will all be effected.

The changes they may have to make are not limited to the way into and out of buildings, they include signs inside and outside buildings, toilets and places to wash, steps and stairs, lifts and escalators and places to park.

The duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 have been introduced in three stages:

1. since 2 December 1996 it has been unlawful to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason related to their disability
2. since 1 October 1999 people providing services have had to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they deliver services
3. from 1 October 2004 they may have to make other ‘reasonable adjustments’ to the physical features of their premises to overcome barriers to access.

The following Disability legislation becomes operational in Northern Ireland from 1 October 2004.

• Sections 21(2)(a), 21(2)(b) and 21(2)(c) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Physical access duties) The Disability Discrimination (Providers of Services) (Adjustment of Premises) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004
• The Disability Discrimination (Employment Field) (Leasehold Premises) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004.

THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

The National Minimum Wage rates increases from 1 Ocotber 2004.

AGES: 18 – 21 and 22
The main (adult) rate for workers aged 22 and over rises to £4.85 per hour (an increase from £4.50 an hour). The development rate for workers aged 18-21 inclusive goes up to £4.10 per hour (an increase from £3.80 an hour).

The development rate can also apply to workers aged 22 and above during their first six months in a new job with a new employer and who are receiving accredited training.

AGES: 16 and 17
There's a new rate for 16 and 17 year olds. The Government has accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendations for a new rate for 16 and 17 year olds (above compulsory school leaving age). In Northern Ireland a person is no longer of compulsory school age after the 30 June of the school year in which their sixteenth birthday occurs. This rate is a handsome £3.00 per hour from 1 October 2004.

16 and 17 year old apprentices will be exempt from the new young workers rate.

More information

Please contact Cliodhna Steele, Human Resources Officer at NICVA:
Cliodhna Steele
028 9087 7777