Universal Accessibility

This repository contains performance requirement checklists for assuring a building meets universal accessibility requirements in Australia. Please note, as an equal opportunities employer committed to sustainable building Earthsteading Pty Ltd supports the Disability Discrimination Act by recognising full compliance with Universal Accessibility standards, over and above the minimum viable standard required by the National Construction Code. Building sustainable habitable spaces requires that future occupants are considered.

Definitions, standards, statistics and legislation

• "Universal Access" also known as inclusive design, is the design of products, environments, and services so that they can be used by people of all abilities, regardless of their age, disability, or other characteristics. It is an economic argument for equity in the working environment so that every human regardless of accessibiility requirement can contribute their economic effort to their capacity.
• The AS 1428 suite of standards is a set of 'minimum viable' Australian Standards that provide guidelines for the design and construction of accessible buildings and facilities. The suite consists of five parts: Part 1: clearances, dimensions, stairs, ramps, rails, floor, lighting, signage, emergency; Part 2: high-rise buildings, residential buildings, and public transport facilities; Part 3: Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities; Part 4: Orientation of people with vision impairment: Tactile ground surface indicators; Part 5: Communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired.
• AS 1735 is a series of Australian Standards that sets out the requirements for the design, construction, installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of lifts, escalators, and moving walks, including dimensions and requirements for accessibility.
• 2022 ABCB's Livable Housing Design Standard
• 2020 Changing Places Design Specifications
• 2019 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Standard. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for people with disabilities to access a range of supports and services. In the 2022-2023 financial year, the NDIS is estimated to spend $30.9 billion on supports and services for people with disabilities.
• 2010 Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards
• The Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment 2023
• The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. They are developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and they are the internationally recognized standards for web accessibility.
• A study by the Centre for Social and Economic Research (CSER) found that increased participation by people with disabilities in the workforce could boost the Australian economy by up to $53 billion per year.
• A study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that people with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed than people without disabilities. In 2022, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 10.3%, compared to 4.6% for people without disabilities.

Univeral Accessibility Performance Requirements

The following checklists represent the functional performance requirements of 'universal access' as defined by the current legislation and standards referenced above.

Clearances and Dimensions

• Ensure the layout of the building and its components provide sufficient clear spaces and dimensions for people to move around safely.

Stairs and Ramps

• Design stairs and ramps to provide safe and accessible travel for people of all abilities.
• Ensure stairs have a clear width of at least 1000 mm.
• Ensure the rise of steps does not exceed 180 mm and the run of steps is at least 280 mm.
• Limit the gradient of ramps to no more than 1:14.
• Provide handrails on both sides of stairs and ramps.
• Implement landings at intervals of no more than 3.6 m.

Floors and Surfaces

• Design floors and surfaces to be slip-resistant and level to prevent falls.
• Maintain a coefficient of friction of at least 0.6 for floors and surfaces.
• Ensure floors and surfaces are level to within a tolerance of 5 mm over 1 m.

Handrails

• Install handrails on stairs, ramps, and walls to assist people with balance and stability.
• Position handrails 900 mm above the floor or ground.
• Maintain a grip diameter of between 30 mm and 40 mm for handrails.
• Ensure handrails are continuous along the entire length of the stair, ramp, or wall.

Doors and Doorways

• Design doors and doorways to be wide enough to allow people to pass through easily.
• Provide doors with a clear width of at least 850 mm.
• Ensure doors can be opened with a force of no more than 80 Newtons

Windows and Glazing

• Design windows and glazing to prevent falls and injuries.
• Use safety glass or other approved materials for glazing.
• Position window sills at least 900 mm above the floor or ground.
• Implement window opening mechanisms to prevent accidental opening.

Lighting

• Provide sufficient lighting to ensure people can see where they are going and avoid obstacles.
• Achieve a minimum illuminance level of 100 lux for ambient lighting.
• Achieve a minimum illuminance level of 200 lux for task lighting at key tasks like reading and writing.
• Implement emergency lighting to illuminate evacuation routes and exits in the event of a power failure.

Signage

• Provide appropriate signage to help people find their way around the building.
• Place signage in easily visible and understandable locations.
• Use a size and type of signage that is easy to read.
• Provide clear and concise information on signage.

Communication Aids

• Implement communication aids to assist people with hearing or vision impairments.
• Install visual alarms, signage, and tactile paving to assist people with hearing impairments.
• Provide Braille signage and tactile ground surface indicators to assist people with vision impairments.

Public Changing Place

• Accessibility: Changing Places toilets must be accessible to people with all types of disabilities. This includes people who use wheelchairs, people with limited mobility, and people with cognitive impairments.
• Usability: Changing Places toilets must be easy to use for people with all types of disabilities. This includes providing clear signage, adequate space, and appropriate fixtures and fittings.
• Safety: Changing Places toilets must be safe for people with all types of disabilities. This includes providing grab bars, emergency call buttons, and non-slip flooring.
• Hygiene: Changing Places toilets must be clean and hygienic. This includes providing a hoist or ceiling track system, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a clean basin with running water, and a disposable waste receptacle.
• Privacy: Changing Places toilets must provide privacy for people with all types of disabilities. This includes providing a lockable door, a privacy screen, and adequate space.
• Maintenance: Changing Places toilets must be well-maintained and in good working order. This includes regular cleaning, inspection, and repair of fixtures and fittings.
• Location: Changing Places toilets should be located in a central and accessible location. This includes providing signage to direct people to the toilets.
• Opening Hours: Changing Places toilets should be open during the same hours as the building or facility in which they are located.
• Staff Awareness: Staff should be aware of the location and availability of Changing Places toilets. They should also be able to provide assistance to people who need it.