The primary Australian Standards relating specifications for door handles and hardware is AS 1428.1—Design for access and mobility, Part 1. It recommends that a door handle should allow the door to be unlocked and opened with one hand. It prefers lever handles as they enable ease of grip for people with hand impairments along with the benefit of the assistance of gravity. The provision of doorknobs do not allow adequate grip for people with fine motor or hand impairments.
A lever handle should be selected to ensure the person who cannot grip is able to operate the handle without slipping. Sliding doors or power assisted doors may need to be considered for people with additional limitations.
Door handles should be installed at a height that is within easy reach. AS 1428.1 recommends that they should not be less than 900mm and not more than 1100mm above the plane of the finished floor.
It is recommended that door handles be of contrasting colour to doors to assist people who are blind or vision impaired to find them easily.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Employers have a responsibility to allow reasonable access to their employees. The Disability Discrimination Act, Section 23, and Access to Premises Guidelines makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with disability by not providing access or use of public premises.
If door handles or other building modifications are required to promote access for a person with disability where modifications are not the normal occupational safety and health requirements for an employer, consideration can be given to applying for funding assistance through the Employment Assistance Fund:
Please refer to the following links to determine eligibility for funding assistance or further information on building accessibility:
References
Australian Government 2010, Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Australian Government ComLaw, online, viewed 2 May 2011, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2010C00023.
Australian Human Rights Commission 2011, Access to Premises, Australian Human Rights Commission, online, viewed 2 May 2011, http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html
Standards Australia 2001, AS 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access—New building work, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Door handles and accessories, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 2 May 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/home/search3.asp?State=TAS&MC=81&MinC=56.