The new code encourages reasonable adjustments

New laws from 1 October 2004 mean that businesses and other organisations which provide goods and services to the public will need to ensure their services are accessible to disabled people by improving access to their premises, where reasonable.

This moves us on from the current rules, which tell businesses they have to try and make their goods and services available to disabled people. From 2004 disabled people will find it easier to actually get into buildings.

Poor access stops disabled people playing a full part in our society. That is wrong, but it's also a waste of the talents and consumer habits of more than 8.5 million people in this country.

Lucrative market

With around �40bn a year to spend, businesses should be looking at ways to tap this lucrative market.

Many of the access problems disabled people have can actually be solved with a little creative thinking - perhaps by introducing a colour coding scheme for visually impaired people, or ensuring there are parking spaces for people with poor mobility.

Others may take a small investment, but one figure suggests that the 2 million businesses affected will have to spend an average of �600 each. Over a four-year period, that shouldn't break the bank for anyone.

And help is at hand - the Disability Rights Commission runs a helpline for people or organisations seeking advice.