Application of the access standards for buildings

The key access-related legislation includes:

• Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)
• Commonwealth Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards)
• Commonwealth Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards)
• Building Code of Australia (BCA)
• Access-related Australian Standards – AS1428.1 (access provisions), AS1428.2 (enhanced access provisions), AS/NZS1428.4.1 (tactile warnings), AS/NZS2890.6 (car parking), AS1735.12 (lifts) and AS4299 (adaptable housing).

This session delves into the many of specific access provisions and aims to outline:

• Better understanding of the new access provisions
• Understanding the relationship between the Commonwealth and State access provisions
• Application of the current access standards to existing buildings- heritage considerations, change of use, ‘new part’, ‘affected part’ and the various concessions for existing buildings
• Responsibilities under the current access standards
• Insight into some of the common pitfalls and difficulties in applying the new access provisions
• Insight into the intent of the new access provisions
• The gaps with the current access standards and risks under the DDA.