D C Leisure Management Ltd Disability Policy Statement

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) provisions came into effect on 2nd December 1996. They were further amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations 2003, which came into force on 1 October 2004. Part 3 of the Act covers disabled peoples' right not to be discriminated against in relation to access to goods, facilities and services. The DDA defines disability as:

" a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities".

This statement outlines D C Leisure's commitment to all our customers (internal and external), ensuring that they have the opportunity to access the facilities we manage in order to participate in their chosen activity and that no-one receives less favourable treatment due to their disability.

1. Commitment
D C Leisure and our subsidiaries value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to disability equality in all our employment and operational practices, policies and procedures. We are committed to the creation of a non-discriminatory leisure environment and service provision and adopt a sport for all' philosophy. To achieve this we continually work with our Local Authority partners' to provide facilities and programmes of activities that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability'.

D C Leisure will undertake management audits with our partners and clients' (the owners of the facilities) to review and make reasonable adjustments to our service provision where action is identified.

D C Leisure will train all staff to be aware of the potential needs of disabled customers and outline their role in helping to provide an exceptional customer service.

2. Information and who to contact
Information about our centres and contact details can be found on our customer website www.dcleisureleisurecentres.co.uk.

For any queries or issues regarding our service please contact the Manager at the centre who will be happy to provide assistance.

Centre's provide customer brochures listing activities available. If this information is required in an alternative format customers should contact reception at the centre for assistance.

Any comments about the service received at our centres should be discussed with a member of staff on site who will be able to provide assistance, alternatively a customer feedback form can be completed. These forms are available at all our centres at reception or on request. Customer's views and relevant feedback is important in helping us to provide a user friendly environment.

D C Leisure will continue to consult with our disabled customers through user forums and feedback forms and use this information to review our service delivery.

3. Using the facilities
D C Leisure are committed to making the centres they manage accessible to all users and most centres have reasonable' disabled facilities and we are continuing to work with user groups and Local Authorities to create a more disabled friendly environment.

In circumstances where access is difficult every effort will be made to re-locate activities to a more suitable area, or additional assistance will be offered, e.g. bring a buddy scheme, allowing a friend/carer to accompany a disabled customer to assist in their activity.

D C Leisure undertake physical audits to review the accessibility of the facilities we manage on behalf of the Local Authority and consult with them regarding the implementation of reasonable adjustments' and alterations to these centres.

The facilities at our centres are clearly signposted, however if navigational difficulties are experienced alternative means of assistance will be provided

4. Health & Safety
D C Leisure considers the health and safety of staff and customers seriously and is wholeheartedly committed to meeting its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The Management System has been accredited by BSi to Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001' (OHSAS 18001). Throughout our management of Health and Safety, we aim to ensure that we consider and comply, where appropriate, with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Our Health and Safety Quality Management System' sets out the duties of directors, managers and staff. It describes the standards to be met, based upon a risk assessment at each set of premises. At each site, records are kept in the appropriate section of the Manual to show compliance with the law and we have adopted the strategy set out in the HSE's publication, Managing Health & Safety: Five Steps to Success'.