There has been a conversation about creating a standard for housing for people who have a disability. If we think about it, in a public building or area we have to consider every disability and different needs for everyone, that is where the concept of universal design comes in to play. However, we need to realise that every person with a disability has different requirements in physical ability and dexterity. For example, a person with Cerebral Palsy might be able to walk in their house but their motor skills might be lacking, so they may not need wider doors but they need suitable door handles. While another person who also lives with Cerebral Palsy may be in a wheelchair and they are capable to do more with their hands, therefore they will need more circulation space and wider doors, also creating a kitchen is safe for them to use. That is only the example with Cerebral Palsy without touching on other disabilities, so every house needs to be different for everyone. Yes, I understand that we need to be realistic and plan if the person’s capabilities may change or decline, permanently or a over a period of time, so we need to design their house to accommodate their current and potential capabilities.
Personally, I don’t think that we need a standard for housing, we will just be taking the “cookie cutter” approach on disability which it’s not suitable due to the fact that different people have different needs. Therefore, we should adopt a custom approach, which an architect or a building designer working together closely with an occupational therapist who knows the client’s requirements and additionally an access consultant could assist with what part of AS1428 may apply. However, a guide like Livable Housing Australia Guidelines could be used as a basis but then expand from there to create the most suitable design for the individual.
Furthermore, a standard could result in a design that restricts the architect/designer putting in elements that the client doesn’t necessarily need. Also, we need to encourage designers not just to go to the commercial catalogues and putting in a commercial fit out in houses, which let’s face it, no one really thinks that public toilets desirable, especially in homes. That is where the occupational therapist comes in, they could go to plumbing show rooms, hardware stores with the individual and their families and pick out suitable fittings. That way the project will specific to the individual’s needs. Think of it like reverse universal design.
Finally, not every-one will build a brand new house, they could modify an existing house, thus making the standard irrelevant. Therefore we should make a guide to assist designers and occupational therapists, as well as an access consultant working as a team to create a suitable house for a specific person who has a disability/ies.
The guide should firstly describe the role of each person/party and the process of collaboration and communication. It is important that the person with the disability/ies and their and family/ carers are central to the process. Initial briefing and ongoing collaboration till the completed design is constructed is essential so no party goes off on an ill-informed tangent to create an unsuitable solution.
Secondly, the guide should cross reference existing Australian standards and resources, so that relevant information can easily be accessed without duplication.
A checklist format, may be advantageous with headings regarding particular types of disability. Whole sections of the checklist can be marked not applicable (if that is the case) ensuring that the design is targeted to assisting the specific person without spending money and time on building features that are not required. Also, it shouldn’t be binding so that not every point within a section must go into the design, so that the group can decide what goes in.
