More than a million small businesses are to receive information about how to prepare for big changes to disability laws, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced.

Firms providing a service to the public, ranging from shops and pubs through to libraries and solicitors, must ensure they provide access to disabled people. If obstacles exist, companies must make "reasonable physical adjustments" or risk prosecution.

The changes are contained in the Disability Discrimination Act, latest elements of which come into force on October 1.

Companies employing fewer than 15 staff will, from that date, be under the same duty as larger firms not to discriminate against workers or potential employees on the grounds of disability. Research suggests 10 million adults fall under the Act which defines disability as "a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities."

Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith said: "Businesses now have 10 million reasons to make their services and workplaces accessible, and they've got six months to think about the best way of doing it.

"Now is the time for businesses to consider what reasonable changes they may need to make.

"In six months time, not only could they be missing out on a massive pool of potential employees and the £50 billion spending power of disabled people, they also risk breaking the law."