Disability Discrimination Act Part 3 (DDA part 3)
In September 2004 the Disability Discrimination Act part 3 was fully implemented. This means that if you are a service provider and you have not made sufficient efforts to be able to supply the same level of service to a disabled person as you would normally extend to a non disabled person then you could be breaking the law. Section 21 of the DDA part 3 states :-
Where a provider of services has a practice policy or procedure which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to make use of a service which he provides, or is prepared to provide to other members of the public, it is his duty to take such steps as it is reasonable, in all circumstances of the case for him to have taken in order to change that practice, policy or procedure so that it no longer has that effect.
This extends to the motor industry as well as to high street shops, banks, pubs, supermarkets etc.
If a dealership or insurance company offer the
service of a courtesy vehicle when a clients vehicle goes in
for a service or for body repair, then this service should be
extended to a disabled person as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if the disabled person’s
vehicle has adaptations on it?
A. It is up to the service provider to
have at least a provision in place to cover such an eventuality,
if a standard vehicle is of no use.
Q. Am I entitled to a courtesy
car?
A. Only if your insurance company offer
a courtesy car to non disabled users.
Q.
Am I entitled to a 'like for like' vehicle?
A. No. However if you were involved in
a non fault accident the third party insurer is obliged to provide
you with a similar vehicle.
Q. Is it normal to pay a
higher cost for an adapted vehicle?
A. It is widely accepted that there can
be increased charges to cover the cost of any adaptations made
to the vehicle, as many disabled persons are given additional
money from the government in the form of disability living allowance
to cover such costs.
