§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the "Open to Change" advertisements have cost to run in national and local media; and if he will make a statement. [41340]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe cost of the "Open to Change" campaign is £2.78 million.
"Open to Change" builds on two successful earlier campaigns to promote the DDA and the Disability Rights Commission. This campaign was designed to increase awareness and understanding of the DDA among specifically small and medium sized service providers. In particular, "Open to Change" publicises how these providers will have to make their services accessible to disabled people under the final phase of the Act, which comes into force in 2004.
The campaign encourages service providers to take action, seek advice on how their business could be adapted to meet legal requirements and improve the services they offer to disabled customers. It signposts SMEs to the Disability Rights Commission as a source of advice and support.