THERE are more than ten million people in the UK with a disability - that's roughly one in eight of us.

In 1995 a new law - The Disability Discrimination Act - was brought in to prevent people with disabilities from being discriminated against.

The Act means that anyone who provides a public service will need to "reasonable adjustments" to a practice, policy or to their premises, to make sure that they do not disadvantage someone with a disability.

As well as giving disabled people legal protection from discrimination, the law is creating other positive changes too.

People who provide services are now thinking more broadly in terms of accessibility and about what adjustments they can be making. These adjustments can often be quite small and not cost very much.

An example of a simple adjustment might be making sure that any price labels, letters or forms are in a minimum text size of 14 point (this type is in 8.5 point), in order to make reading easier for someone with a visual impairment.

Another adjustment might be to rearrange office furniture to create extra space for someone using a wheelchair or an assistance dog.

Above all, the new law provides the legal right for all disabled people to be treated as equal citizens. And about time too.

To find out more about the law and the rights of a disabled person and obligations of a service provider, contact the Disability Rights Commission (www.drc-gb.org / 08457 622633). York Citizen's Advice can also help (www.yorkcab.org.uk/ 01904 623550).

Did you know that the York bureau offers advice and information via email and letter, as well as in person and by telephone? That's just one way we're making ourselves more accessible.

Updated: 10:36 Thursday, April 14, 2005