RNIB issues guides on disability law

The RNIB joined forces with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to produce the guides, one focused on making offices 'accessible for all', the other concentrating on signage. Both guides have been written by the Joint Mobility Unit (JMU), the partnership between the association and the RNIB; the sign guide was co-written with the Sign Design Society. Peter Barker, manager of the JMU, said: 'Making sure that your office building is accessible and well-designed will help everyone, not just disabled employees. Buildings that are thoughtfully designed present a positive message to staff, visitors and competitors about the kind of company you are. The Office Design Guide will help to achieve that.' The Disability Discrimination Act makes it illegal for employers with more than 15 staff to discriminate against disabled job applicants and existing staff. However, the RNIB has said there is evidence that disabled people still face significant difficulties in getting and keeping a job. Its research has showed that people of working age who have a serious sight problem face an unemployment rate 2.5 times higher than the national average. The guides, which are aimed at office managers and all those who are involved in planning access and workplace design, are available at &\#163;20 each.