18th July 2003
MAKING SOUTH YORKSHIRE ACCESSIBLE

All businesses in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham with over 15 employees must provide accessibility information by the beginning of 2004.

To help businesses do so, Barnsley Development Agency’s Community Economic Regeneration Team has been busy promoting the South Yorkshire Accessible Information Production Service (SYAIPS).

SYAIPS has been developed by DIAL Barnsley (the Disability Information and Advice Line) and will produce information to all sections of the business community in formats that are appropriate to local needs. This will include audio and British Sign Language videos, subtitled videos, spoken word tapes, Braille, large print, CD-ROM’s and information for people whose first language is not English.

The new service intends to meet a variety of needs in terms of information production, ranging from the production of existing information in alternative formats for statutory services, e.g. information to the general public, to specific needs of individual service users which can be met in terms of providing information about their own support/care arrangements. The two ends of the spectrum are equally important.

The business sector will also be made aware of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 i.e. producing information to their customers in formats that suit their requirements. Finally the development will also ensure that resources are available to allow all to meet the requirements under the DDA and other equal opportunities legislation.

CERT’s Wayne Blake says, “ The right to use one’s own language is a fundamental human right. Furthermore we believe that people can best realise their potential and aspirations through a language to which they have full access and through which they can develop linguistically, personally and socially”.

If you need any advice or information on SYAIPS then please contact Wayne Blake at CERT on tel: 01226 784424, or for information on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 contact DIAL Barnsley on tel: 01226 240 273.



www.barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk

Press Contact: Sarah Hopwood
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Barnsley Development Agency
Telephone: 01226 640 086
Facsimile: 01226 286 606
Email: shopwood@barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk


SYAIPS is based at:
Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre
Unit 2
Snydale Road
Cudworth
Barnsley
S72 8RP
Tel: 01226 7155555



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