Everyone who is responsible for a building is asking "what do we do", "will there be inspectors coming round?", "my place is a listed building, so that is all right" but the most commonly heard is "what do they mean by reasonable adaptation?"

They, of course, are the Disability Rights Commission or DRC. Reactions are mixed to the idea that the Government should interfere with the businesses, but the warnings have been given from time to time that it is the responsibility of and, eventually, for the benefit of buildings, both business and leisure, that they should be accessible for the disabled to use as far as is possible and affordable.

The question of whether changes can be afforded should not be a barrier to having an audit or inspection, and receiving a report. As long as the owner/manager can produce a report on the improvements suggested, and begin to take the ones that can be afforded, they will be left alone to achieve as much as they can.

However, unless the owner has experience of sight impairment, hearing problems and understands how much progress has been made in the wheelchair world, enabling more people to do their own shopping and get about, they do need some help in getting it right. This is where Wiltshire Access Consultancy can be of service to the community. We have eight trained auditors who can give you suggestions, that you probably would never have thought of, and many are simple and inexpensive.

Telephone (01672) 569340 and ask for information to be sent to you and if you decide to tackle some of the simple transformations, we will allocate an auditor to get in touch with you.

B WILLIAMS

Wiltshire Access Consultancy

St John's Street

Devizes