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 and or 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—consideration should be given to clear wide paths, ramps, safety kerbs, handrails and tactile ground surface indicators
- car parks—consideration should be made for wider car bays with adequate clearance space above the car and be marked with the 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 and tactile or visual indicators
- doorways—consideration should be given to adequate circulation space, the ease of door opening such as weight of doors, door handle type 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 or 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 and equipment, visual, tactile or auditory cues required, circulation space and the provision of specialised equipment such as adaptive technology.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Building accessibility modifications are required for people with disability to maintain access to the workplace. The Disability Discrimination Act does not identify specific ways to provide equitable access to buildings, however Access to Premises guidelines and information are now available via the Australian Human Rights Commission website. Links to this information can be found in our relevant links section.
All building modifications need to be approved by local council and access consultants or building surveyors may be employed to provide additional information regarding access and building modifications.
The following links provide information on common building access modifications that may be required for persons with a disability to maintain access to buildings:
References
Australian Human Rights Commission 2011, Access to premises, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html.
Australian Human Rights Commission 2011, Access to buildings and services: Guidelines and information, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/guidelines.htm.
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.
Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc. 2007, Policies, Acts & Regulations, Association of Consultants in Access Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 10 November 2011, http://access.asn.au/policies_acts_regulations.