Why is access important?
Improved and equitable access to the built environment enhances opportunities for social connection, safety, dignity and harmony for people of all abilities.
It is a legal requirement, under the Disabilities Discrimination Act 1992, to consider and provide dignified and equitable access to buildings and facilities and services within the premises for people with a disability. A premises includes the surrounding services and structures.
People with a disability include those with low vision, hearing difficulties, limited mobility due to age or injury, people who are neurodiverse and people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. A disability may be permanent or it may be a temporary condition due to illness or injury.
What guides compliance?
-
The Disability Discrimination Act -1992 (DDA) is a Commonwealth Government Act. The objectives of the DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate against anyone with a disability in relation to access to premises or the provision of goods and services, transport, education and employment.
-
The National Construction Code (NCC) is a set of technical design and construction provisions for the built environment. The NCC is a performance-based code and sets out the minimum required levels of safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of buildings.
-
The Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards -2010 (DAPS) sets out detailed information to align the NCC building code with the DDA to inform building professionals of the requirements for the provision of non-discriminatory access to premises. The DAPS also details when, where and to what extent the DAPS applies. The DAPS is intended to provide building professionals with certainty that if they meet the Standards they will meet the intent of the DDA.
-
There are various Australian standards and codes referenced in the NCC to provide detailed minimum specifications and dimensions for specific parts of buildings based on their use and occupancy.
-
There are a number of additional housing standards for people with a disability, including older people. The standards include AS 1428.1 -1995-Adaptable Housing, Livable Housing Design (LHD) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
-
There are also various State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP), local councils Development Control Plans (DCP) and Local Environmental Plans (LEP). These Plans and Policies are used to inform councils and developers about the appropriate use of land to ensure, amongst other things, the type and design of developments to meet the needs and rights of the community.
“Good design enables, bad design disables.”