The Equality Act can be good for business.

That’s the message from Equality Champion Jane Poole-Wilson and Annette Pinhorn, who is lead on the Tiered Award Scheme, already in place to recognise the efforts of firms who make improvements to make their business more accessible to everyone.

Nor does meeting obligations under the act mean, necessarily, heavy costs for a business.

There are many simple fixes - some of which bosses may discover by talking to their staff, customers and charities who are keen to assist.

Launched by Crossroads Care, the Tiered Award Scheme (TAS) aims to help organisations become more disability aware - and recognise it when they do.

It was devised after a multi-agency forum was tasked by the then Department of Social Care to oversee the implementation of earlier anti-discrimination legislation

So, it was already up and running when the Equality Act became law earlier this year.

The act aims to combat discrimination in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services, on various grounds including race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, and gender reassignment.

It will be phased in over the next two years.

The TAS is free of charge and available to all businesses. It does not matter what size your organisation is.

’If you are a big company you might have a team to deal with these matters,’ said Annette. ’

Or it might be just you as the owner of a small business.

’You have to go across the board and cover health and safety, physical access and customer service, as a framework.

’It is a case of thinking and sharing ideas.

’Thinking about how you are going to plan it: reasonable adjustments, things you can do in the short term that are perfectly acceptable.

’It is also thinking about the new markets you can develop as a business.’

She added: ’Most people can see it is a business opportunity, not only for staff retention, but maybe thinking about employing someone with a disability they might not have thought about before.

’A small trader will be doing lots with customer service That is how they retain customers and loyalty, by having that personal touch.’

It was also a case of thinking about problems people might face that may not be immediately visible. Not all disabilities are obvious.

Jane Poole-Wilson (pictured above) has been in her position as equality champion for a matter of weeks, but says she has been impressed at the steps that have already been taken in some quarters.

’Some organisations are doing great things already, through great customer service,’ the MLC said.

’Your business improves customer service, planning more about differing needs of your customers and trying where you can to meet them.’

By participating in the TAS, which uses a method of self-assessment to encourage staff to think about what the company can do, it also shows a business as a good employer, she said.

’Education is important and that is where the third sector can help greatly,’ she added.

Charities have identified an opportunity to work with businesses in all sectors to help demonstrate how they can meet their obligations under the Equality Act and, in doing so, improve things for staff and customers - and improve their business position as a result.

On many occasions, there are simple and cost-effective solutions to meeting the requirements of the Equality Act.

Annette said: ’It is just thinking about your situation. It will enable people with disability to gain confidence to go out more.’

It was also a case of managers thinking about their approach to recruitment and owners looking at their premises - especially if a relocation is planned.

’It is a question of what you make of it,’ said Annette. ’You are going to be asked a series of questions to answer.

’It is how you respond as a business or organisation.

One recent example how participation in the Tiered Award Scheme has helped businesses to make changes is Fryer’s Fish and Chips Shop in Onchan.

It has received the gold award under the TAS. As well as ensuring, the diner, take-away and toilets are all fully accessible to everyone, the business welcomes guide dogs and offers a gluten-free menu.

Not only has it earned the business recognition, of course, but it has also identified a wider customer base that it might have done otherwise.

Annette said up to 20 per cent of the customers that a business deals with could have a disability, but it might not always be obvious.

That was why engagement was important and that was where the charities could step into assist.

In the TAS guidelines for self-assessment, it emphasises how small changes can make a business or service more accessible, ranging from making it clear that staff can reach something on a higher shelf to displaying notices saying that you welcome assistance dogs.

Not all changes are expensive. But making sure customers know what you offer is also important.

Vital steps also include ensuring your own staff are confident to assist someone with access issues.

The scheme emphasises that many circumstances have common sense solutions.

The main thing is, the TAS is there to help and there are charities who can help businesses come up with simple measures to make things better for everyone.

For more information about the scheme, contact Crossroads Care on 673103 or email [email protected]