Building accessible places
The Building Code of Australia
In Australia, the design and structure of buildings and how people use them is set by the Australian Building Codes Board. It is the Building Code of Australia that architects, town planners, engineers and councils use when designing buildings, streets, parks and all other public areas.
The Building Code of Australia includes specifications for ensuring dignified access to, and use of, buildings for people with disability. Here, you will find information on building accessible places that is relevant to:
We have also gathered information on universal design (including universal access, adaptable housing and accessible housing).
For the building industry and building managers
If you work in the building industry, or are a building manager, you would be aware of your obligations under the Building Code of Australia and associated Australian standards. This includes the Disability (Access to Premises—Buildings) Standards 2010 (effective 1 May 2011) that set out requirements and technical specifications for ensuring dignified access to, and use of, buildings for people with disability.
These standards seek to align building codes with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwlth) and equivalent state and territory laws, and ensure public buildings, businesses and other types of buildings meet the needs of all people.
New buildings must comply with the Building Code of Australia and the Access to Premises Standard when they are constructed and older buildings must comply when the owner, person or business using the building does major renovations or changes. This way, over time all buildings will become accessible.
Other reference information for new buildings includes Australian standards AS1428.1 Design for Access and Mobility and AS4299 Adaptable Housing. The Building Code of Australia references these Australian standards as the minimal response for adaptability and accessibility for all members of the public.
People planning or upgrading buildings and facilities can also refer to the latest Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission advisory notes on access to premises. The advisory notes have been produced to help developers construct new buildings and facilities consistent with the requirements contained in the Disability Discrimination Act.
(We thank Disability Lifestyles for contributing to this page.)
Building accessible places
For home renovators
As the Building Code of Australia accessibility requirements apply to public premises, they are not a legal requirement if you are designing or building a private home. However, to help ensure you can live in your home throughout all stages of life—and other people with varying abilities can visit your home—you may wish to consider current accessibility laws and design trends.
It makes sense on many levels to design or build a home that is widely accessible. Young families need indoor and outdoor spaces that are pram friendly, then as children grow they need space to ride tricycles or skateboards. Meanwhile, as grandparents or parents age, the same space needs to be accessible to walkers or wheelchairs.
Other examples include installing large light switches with LED indicators, at a height suitable for accessibility, and installing lever door handles that are easier to grip and turn than round handles.
So making your home accessible is a good investment. It not only lets you remain in your home throughout different life stages, but it broadens your market when it's time to sell.
- About universal access, adaptable housing and accessible housing
- Why do we need universal design?
- More information on universal design
About universal access, adaptable housing and accessible housing
When talking about building accessible places, you may hear terminology such as ‘universal access’, ‘accessible housing’ and ‘adaptable housing’. These terms support an approach to building and house design that caters to the needs of everybody—regardless of age, ability or life stage. An overarching term is ‘universal design’.
The Endeavour Foundation has produced the publication Homes for Everybody that covers the issues of meeting needs of people with a disability living in shared accommodation and includes some useful tips and information for people designing all types of premises. The publication describes the core elements of universal design as follows*:
Adaptability—addresses future needs with areas that initially may not need to be accessible but with some minor modifications can be adapted if needed in the future.
Examples of adaptability include non-load-bearing walls around doors (that can be removed if the need for wheelchair access is required), toilets and bathrooms with sufficient fixing materials built into wall spaces in appropriate locations (if hand rails are needed in the future).
Accessibility—design complies with Australian standards and is applied through current regulations to commercial and institutional buildings. It addresses the access requirements to areas such as ramps, lifts, car parks, sanitary facilities and entries. Accessibility is based on the premise that 80% to 90% of people can use the building when the Australian standards are adhered to. Public buildings must also comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwlth).
Visit-ability—design that works on the principle that people with a disability can visit a home with the following: at least 1 entrance that can be accessed in a wheelchair, the hallways are wide enough for wheelchair navigation and at least 1 bathroom is large enough for a person using a wheelchair to enter and close the door.
*These terms promote best practice in house and building design and support the essence of Australia's anti-discrimination laws. They should be considered in conjunction with the Building Code of Australia and the Disability (Access to Premises—Buildings) Standards 2010 (effective 1 May 2011).
Other reference information for new buildings include Australian Standards AS1428.1 Design for Access and Mobility and AS4299 Adaptable Housing.
Why do we need universal design?
Building accessible places is not only the right thing to do, it is mandated through Australian legislation and standards and international conventions. Visit the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department for an overview of legal and policy information on Australian domestic human rights matters, anti-discrimination legislation, and international human rights obligations.
Queensland's Disability Services Act 2006 supports the Australian Government's legislation.
For an insight into making communities more accessible and to read first-hand experiences about accessibility, visit Disability Lifestyles.
It's important to note that universal design can also accommodate people with challenging behaviours who require a safe environment. Such needs can impact significantly on layout and space requirements. There are lots of great design ideas that can be incorporated into the family home, without looking out of place.
More information on universal design
Search the internet for information on ‘universal design’, ‘universal access’, ‘adaptable housing’ and ‘accessible housing’, and speak to industry experts about design options that may meet your specific needs. Your local council may also be able to help.
Following are some other good sites and publications we tracked down in our research:
- The Australian Government's Livable Housing Design Guidelines
- The Australian Network for Universal Housing Design
- Gold Coast City Council's Homewise Guide
- Queensland Action for Universal Housing Design
- Queensland Department of Public Works Smart and Sustainable Homes Design Objectives—includes sections on universal design
- Lifetec—provides assistive technology to enable people to live independently and improve their quality of life.
