ST HELENS-based national charity The Disability Advice and Welfare Network (DAWN) is organising a series of meetings to explain the forthcoming changes in the Disability Discrimination Act.

From October 1, service providers - including shops, cinemas, doctors, travel agents, hotels and estate agents - will have to take reasonable steps to provide auxiliary aids or services to enable disabled people to make use of their service. They will also have to take reasonable steps to change any policies, procedures or practices which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of their service.

Director of DAWN, Paul Brennan, explained: "The Disability Discrimination Act will only work if people use it. Although parts of the act are in force and more sections apply from October, we find that people either don't know enough about the act to take action or don't know who to approach for advice, help or support.

"For example, the act uses the word unreasonable in almost every sentence, but what does this mean and, more importantly, how does this apply to everyday situations?"

He added: "We have designed our presentation to try to relate the act to the real world. The presentation does not explain the law in detail but aims to give people the confidence to take action and know what is involved. It will also point people in the right direction to know where to go for further support or advice."

There is no charge for attending the first presentation at the Unison Club (formerly NALGO), Bishop Road, St Helens, between 1.30 and 3.30pm on Thursday, October 7.

But don't worry if you can't get to this presentation, as others are planned. For more details contact the charity on 0800 0730171.

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