MORE than three-quarters of small to medium-sized businesses in Hampshire risk court action for failing to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

And commercial property experts Chesterton is warning all owners of commercial property who provide a service to the public, that they too may have to fall into line.

Research, commissioned by RNID, revealed 76 per cent of small to medium-sized businesses in the south-east of England had not made any changes to enable deaf and hard -of-hearing people to access their products or services.

This means thousands of businesses are at risk of court action under the new disability legislation, which came into force on October 1.

Although around half of businesses questioned were aware of the implications of the DDA, few had taken any practical steps.

RNID chief executive Dr John Low said: "RNID expected to see small businesses make significant changes in order to meet the requirements of the new disability legislation. This research shows there is much that remains to be done to encourage small businesses to make the simple, cost-effective changes necessary to embrace the needs of disabled customers."

Robert Haynes, associate director of building and development services at the Southampton office of Chesterton, said many businesses thought disabled access meant catering for wheelchairs.

"Unfortunately, many people think their duty merely involves providing an external ramp, automating the entrance door and possibly providing a disabled toilet - but the Act is far more wide-ranging in its definition of disabled people.

"Many firms stereotypically associate disabled access with wheelchair users, but these people only account for six per cent of the UK disabled - there are, for example, four times as many visually impaired people.

"A disabled person could also have a mental impairment, a hearing, speech or mobility problem, severe disfigurement, incontinence, or the inability to concentrate, learn or understand."

The RNID is offering a free fact sheet highlighting easy, inexpensive steps businesses can take to bring themselves into line with the law.

To get a RNID fact sheet contact 0808 8080 123 or textphone 0808 808 9000 or visit www.rnid.org.uk