It is vital that toilet modifications are designed and modified correctly to make them accessible and useable by individuals with disability. The following are the primary standards that set out the design and fit out of accessible toilets:
- Australian Standard 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access- New building work
- Australian Standard 1428.2, Design for access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements- Buildings and facilities.
Toilet modifications within the workplace can assist people to access and/or use toilet facilities independently or with help. Toilet modifications can include:
- provision of clear identification signs in alternative formats such as information displayed in tactile and braille and including the international symbol for access
- widening doors and circulation spaces within the toilet
- provision of grab rails, sinks/mirrors/taps/paper towel holders which can be reached and accessed by people using a wheelchair
- toilet door modifications ensuring they are easy to open, close and lock.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission also provide publications regarding access issues.
All building modifications need to be approved by local council and access consultants / building surveyors may be employed to provide additional information regarding access and building modifications.
(Standards Australia 1992; Standards Australia 2001; HREOC 2007; ACAA 2007)
References
Standards Australia 2001, AS 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access – New building work, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Standards Australia 1992, AS 1428.2, Design for access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced & additional requirements- Building facilities, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to buildings and services: Guidelines and information, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 19 November 2007, <http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/guidelines.htm>.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to premises, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 19 November 2007, <http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html>.
Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc. 2007, Policies, Acts & Regulations, Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 19 November 2007, <http://www.access.asn.au/pols_acts_regs.htm>.
Relevant Links