The legislation is designed to give disabled people easier access

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, firms have to improve disabled access or run the risk of facing prosecution.

The Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland said almost half of its members had responded to the new law.

Capability Scotland said businesses must respond positively to the challenges set by the new legislation.

The Disability Rights Commission said the legislation represented "long-awaited rights" for disabled people.

A recent survey by the commission showed many pubs and restaurants were failing to leave adequate space between tables.

They've been thinking about the various needs disabled customers might have and starting to implement those changes Niall Stuart FSBS

It also suggested that a third of public toilets were impossible to access.

Niall Stuart, spokesman for the FSBS, said its members had responded positively to the challenges.

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, he said firms had undertaken access audits and explored ways in which they would have to change their premises.

"They've been thinking about the various needs disabled customers might have and starting to implement those changes," he said.

'Big gap'

However, he conceded that smaller firms needed expert help on how best to improve their services to meet the needs of disabled customers.

Mr Stuart said businesses which had made an effort to improve their premises and demonstrated "good will" to comply with the guidelines should not be taken to court.

Michelle Haggerty, of Capability Scotland, said its research indicated "a big gap" between big and small businesses in terms of their disabled provision.

"Big businesses are probably better resourced and are on top of their legislation, while some smaller are businesses probably struggling and some may not be aware of what they have to do," she said.

People need to engage with disabled organisations and disabled customers to find out what changes need be made Michelle Haggerty Capability Scotland

"We say they should go out and get advice and speak to disabled customers to find out what changes they think would make an immediate improvement."

Ms Haggerty said firms should be aiming for "a reasonable adjustment" to their premises.

"What the big department stores are expected to do is very different from the corner shop.

"People need to engage with disabled organisations and disabled customers to find out what changes need to be made."

She said disabled customers who felt they had been treated unfavourably should speak to the firm in question to complain.

"Customers can complain to the business and they can also go through a conciliation service that's offered by the Disability Rights Commission," Ms Haggerty said.