Changes in the Disability Discrimination Act mean landlords need to be aware that they have new duties to make their accommodation accessible to the disabled, writes David lawrenson.

Under the 2005 amendment to the Act, which came into force in December 2006,
disability is defined as any mental or physical impediment that adversely
affects someone's ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

Disability has to be "Long Term" to count. This means the disability has to
last, or be expected to last, for over a year.

The act also makes clear that disabilities caused by such things as cancer,
HIV and multiple sclerosis are included within the definition and that a
person's rights under the act become effective the day they receive a
medical diagnosis.

So, it's important to think beyond physical things like whether or not a
person is wheelchair bound; whether or not you can see the disability does
not matter.