Building modifications are often required to ensure workplaces and public areas are accessible for people with disability. The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), State/Territory discrimination laws and the Building Code of Australia are the most relevant laws and codes relating to access.
The primary Australian Standards relating to building modifications are:
- AS 1428.1- Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access- New building work
- AS 1428.2- Design for access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements- Building and facilities.
Accessibility modifications commonly consider:
- accessible paths of travel to the front door or doors - considerations should be given to clear wide paths, ramps, safety kerbs, handrails and tactile ground surface indicators
- car parks - considerations should be made for wider car bays with adequate clearance space above the car and be marked with international symbol for access
- accessible pathways within the building - consideration should be given to clear wide pathways, the presence of steps or other barriers, floor surfaces, ramps and rails, tactile or visual indicators, etc.
- doorways - consideration should be given to adequate circulation space, the ease of door opening (weight of door/handles) and the requirement for visual indicators or colour contrast
- toilets - the provision of an accessible toilet, with adequate circulation space, grab rails, access to sinks, taps, paper towels, adequate visual / tactile indicators for the toilet and the ease of door opening
- workspace - the access and use of appropriate equipment, taking into consideration the heights of desk/equipment, visual/tactile or auditory cues required, circulation space and the provision of specialised equipment such as computer and adaptive technology.
(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