Who Does Access Affect?

Poor accessibility in the built environment affects everyone within society including those with a temporary or permanent disability, older people, and their family and friends.

At present, there are approximately 4 million Australians with a disability. By 2050 more than 25 per cent of the population will be over 65. It is expected that as the Australian population ages, the number of people with a disability is also expected to grow and so will the number of people who care for them (Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 1998, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1998).

Examples of access barriers faced by people include:

• Smooth circular doorknobs will be difficult to use if a person has poor grip or is unable to grip at all
• Steps could deny a person in a wheelchair, on crutches, or with a pram entry into premises
• Street furniture that does not highly contrast with the background are hazardous for people with poor vision
• Unclear signage may cause difficulties for people who may not speak or read English well
• Insufficient lighting may cause difficulties for someone with a hearing impairment who lip reads

Access Through Universal Design

According to the South Carolina Center for Universal Design the intent of Universal Design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more useable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. (1997 NC State University). This inclusive 'design for all' approach focusses on quality designs that create maximum amenity for the maximum number of people without the need for specialised designs that focus on a users level of ability.

Examples of the use of the universal design principle include:

• step-less entries that will assist equally someone who moves furniture, pushes a baby stroller, or uses a wheelchair
• a finer gauge grating on a drain will eliminate risks to people using walking sticks, wheelchairs, high heels or skateboards.

Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities, by considering changes experienced by everyone as they grow from infancy to old age from the beginning of the design process.

Integration of Universal Design concepts to make premises accessible from the beginning of the design process is important because it avoids the stigmatising quality of accessible features that have been added on late in the design process, or after completion as a modification.

Find out more information on the principles of universal design

Why Provide 'Access'?

An accessible built environment provides the opportunity for all people to fully contribute to and participate in community life and society. In order to provide equal opportunities it is important that the services and facilities available to the community ensure independent, equitable, dignified and amenable access by all people.

The Australian Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) states that it is unlawful to discriminate against people with a disability or their associates in relation to access to premises or services to which the public is entitled to enter or use. Not only is accessibility a legal requirement, issues related to access to premises is one of the Australian Human Rights Commission major disability rights projects.

As a business practice access encourages and allows the greatest possible number of people to access services, environments, and products equitably and independently.