Although the second stage of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) does not come into force until October 2004, the construction industry should be taking into consideration now the requirements of the Act to provide access for disabled people.

From October, most buildings into which the public are invited (exceptions can be made in cases of historic properties or other special circumstances) will be required to have access for disabled people, such as those in wheelchairs. This includes shops and offices, including those of masonry businesses that invite the public into a showroom, for example.

David Rycroft, director of architecture at the architects group TPS Consult, a subsidiary of Carillion, says: "The first implementation stage of DDA placed a duty on any organisation providing a service to the public to make \'reasonable\' adjustments to facilitate use by the disabled and other disadvantaged groups.

"The second stage of the Act sets out mandatory requirements that have the potential to create more onerous demands. The overall concept is that a development now needs to incorporate the principles of inclusive design - ie Architecture for all."It would be prudent to consider the longer term implications of the DDA in any design work being carried out now. Subsequent modifications at a later date would be both disruptive and costly to clients."