Schedule 15: Associations: reasonable adjustments
Effect
902.This Schedule explains how the duty to make reasonable adjustments in section 20 applies to associations. Paragraph 2 explains that the duty applies in respect of disabled members and guests including prospective members and guests and that the association must comply with all three reasonable adjustment requirements. It describes the types of adjustments an association must make, stipulates what the duty does not require and provides further information on the meaning of “physical features”. It is an anticipatory duty which means associations must anticipate the needs of disabled members and guests including prospective members and guests and make appropriate reasonable adjustments.
Background
903.This Schedule is designed to replicate the effect of similar provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Examples
A private club with 30 members usually holds its annual dinner upstairs in a local restaurant. However, as there is no lift, the room is not accessible to two new disabled members who have severe difficulty in climbing stairs. Under the duty the club would need to think about changing the venue to a downstairs room to accommodate the new members. This is likely to be a reasonable adjustment for the club to make.
A club has members who cannot read standard print. Under the duty it would need to think about providing information in large print and on audio tape for them. These are likely to be reasonable adjustments for the club to make.