Summarised version - original letter issued 29.11.2002


As part of our efforts to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) Part III - Rights of Access: Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises and to raise the profile of disability awareness within Royal Mail Group, a report containing the results of an independent audit was issued at the end of August highlighting the findings, risks and recommendations. A covering letter offered advice and guidance from the Royal Mail Disability Action Centre (DAC).  

You should be aware that Allan Leighton is now taking a personal interest in disability related issues, which have close links with the Great Place To Work project.  David Mills, as a Board Member of the Employers' Forum on Disability, of which we are a Gold Card member, is also personally involved.  

Allan Leighton and David Mills recently hosted a disability awareness event at Coton House for over thirty senior managers. They both clearly demonstrated their commitment to disability issues, improving access for our disabled customers and the need to comply with the terms of the DDA.  Allan wanted a tangible outcome from the event and is putting together a disability 'Priority Action Group'. However, this group will supplement, and not replace, any activity that should already be happening within Business Units as a consequence of the audit report. 

Compliance with the DDA and our Licence conditions is not optional, it is mandatory. In order to assist you to identify more clearly key improvement activity we have developed tick lists, which are attached. As with the audit report, this is being passed to you for your information and appropriate action. However, the DAC will be only too pleased to provide you with further detail, contacts for more specialist advice, or discuss your individual queries or concerns, on request. If you are unclear as to how the DDA may affect your Business Unit or work area please contact the DAC and we will do our best to advise you. You may also wish to visit the DAC website www.royalmail.com/dac where you will find a wide range of disability related information including fact sheets and guidelines.

Regards,



Avril Hart
Head of Disability Policy
Disability Action Centre (DAC) 


Royal Mail Disability Helpline     Telephone:  0114 241 4731   Fax: 0114 241 4534  
Calls are welcome through RNID Typetalk and BT Text Direct
Email: dac@royalmail.com   Website: www.royalmail.com/dac