What Is Access

Why do we need disability access? First and foremost, there are over 4.4 million people in Australia that have some form of disability (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018). Meaning, 1 in 5 people belong to this number. And with our growing population and increasing life expectancy that number will increase.

In addition to this, with introduction of The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013, people with disabilities have better access and more opportunities to enter and interact in the community, thanks to the NDIS community access programs and initiatives. That said, our environments need to be accessible for everyone.

What is disability access? Does this mean it’s meant for those who have disabilities? As a matter of fact, disability access is not just for people with a disability. It benefits everyone.

A ramp or a lift doesn’t only mean that people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters can access buildings, it allows parents with prams to enter in as well.

Visual cues and luminance contrasts assist everyone to navigate through environments as well as assisting for people who have vision impairments.

Step-free thresholds illuminate tripping hazards for everyone while allowing mobility aides to enter into a space.

All these disability access features should be staples in public, commercial, and multi-residential properties. And that’s where Access Consultants come in, to ensure that these environments are fully accessible to everyone.

In Australia, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), it is unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of their disability. The DDA defines disability as a person who has one or more of the following:

Physical impairment
Intellectual impairment
Psychiatric impairment
Sensory impairment, including vison and hearing
Neurological impairment
Learning disability
Physical disfigurement
The presence in the body of disease causing organisms.

The objects of this Act are:
(a) to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against persons on the ground of disability in the areas of:
(i) work, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sport; and
(ii) the provision of goods, facilities, services and land; and
(iii) existing laws; and
(iv) the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs; and
(b) to ensure, as far as practicable, that persons with disabilities have the same rights to equality before the law as the rest of the community; and
(c) to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.
(Extracted from Disability Discrimination Act 1992)

One of the primary standards that upholds the DDA is the Access to Premises Standard 2010. This standard sets out the minimal requirements of which public places need to adhere to. All new public developments must meet the minimal requirements that are set out in this standard, including renovations to existing building (if there are no exemptions).