The role of an access auditor or consultant is to provide specialist advice regarding access to buildings for people with disability. The access auditor or consultant typically works with architects, builders and property owners, as well as health professionals who support people with disability.
An access consultant has in depth knowledge of the legislation associated with access for people with disability, which includes Australian Standards, the Building Code of Australia and the Disability Discrimination Act.
Services provided
An access consultant can provide advice regarding the design of a building to facilitate access for people with disability. This promotes accessibility not only for the employees who work in the building but also for customers or clients with disability who access the building.
Access consultants can be involved either in the design stage of a new building, or to provide advice on how best to modify an existing building. Advice usually relates to issues involving ramps, doorways, toilets, rails, lifts, as well as exterior issues such as parking, signage and paths. They also liaise with local councils and provide advice related to accessibility.
An access auditor undertakes quality assurance audits for organisations wishing to demonstrate conformity to a predetermined set of standards relating to access for people with disability.
References and resources
Disability Services Commission 2007, Perth, viewed 29 May 2007, <http://www.dsc.wa.gov.au/cproot/253/2/section4.pdf>.
Disability Services Commission, 2006, Access Resource Kit, Perth, viewed 29 May 2007 <http://www.dsc.wa.gov.au/cproot/232/2/ARK_entire_document%20(ID=161,Ver=2.0.0).pdf>.