§ Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the National Disability Council's proposals for a revised Code of Practice on Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [89250]
§ Ms HodgeWe have today published the new Code of Practice on access to goods, facilities and services and it will come into force on 1 October 1999 (replacing the Code issued in July 1996). Copies have been placed in the Library. The Code is based entirely on the National 145W Disability Council's proposals which were prepared following extensive consultation with disabled people, service providers and legal advisers.
The new Code provides guidance on the existing duties under Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as well as those being implemented on 1 October. The Code gives practical examples of reasonable adjustments which can be made for disabled people and encourages service providers to adopt good practices when considering how to make their services and premises accessible to disabled people.
The Code of Practice is available from the Stationery Office (ISBN 0-11-271055–7) or from my Department's disability website (www.disability.gov.uk). The Code has been designed to be as accessible as possible and will be available in different formats, such as in Braille and on audio cassette. Further information and leaflets on the new provisions will become available over the summer.