Physical Support Options
Section 23 of the Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of disability in providing access to or use of premises that the public can enter or use.
There is no specific on-going government funding program for disability modifications, however such modifications can/should be included in any renovation/modernisation of a building. ACE providers are supposed to be accessible under the Disability Discrimination Act, Education Standards and all other government regulatory systems.
Depending on the type/expense involved with the items required consider the following:
For a Portable Disability Access Ramp
Obtain advice and assistance with this via a local Health Centre Occupational Therapist as the ramp needs to be built to Disability Access guidelines and should also be tailored to suit the width of the door opening. A word of warning: an access ramp may create an OHS hazard and may not be the best solution for an area with steps if you intend this to be a permanent solution. Often a person with disability may bring their own ramp. Ask them if they have a ramp and if they think it would work at your centre.
Funding for a Ramp
You will need to cost out your ramp and write a funding application to cover its purchase and delivery. Possible funders/supporters may include:
- Local Government/Shires
- Local businesses/community
- Philanthropic Trusts
- State government e.g.DPCD
- Your own or the person's own fund raising activities
Funding for Building Accessibility Modifications
Unfortunately the same applies in relation to funding the cost of any building accessibility modifications with respect to funding.
Any building modifications made must be done according to the Australian Standards. These standards are under review. However the following primary Australian Standards relating to building modifications are still relevant:
- AS 1428.1- Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access- New building work
- AS 1428.2- Design for access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements- Building and facilities.
Accessibility Modifications Commonly Consider:
- accessible paths of travel to the front door or doors - considerations should be given to clear wide paths, ramps, safety kerbs, handrails and tactile ground surface indicators
- car parks - considerations should be made for wider car bays with adequate clearance space above the car and be marked with international symbol for access
- accessible pathways within the building - consideration should be given to clear wide pathways, the presence of steps or other barriers, floor surfaces, ramps and rails, tactile or visual indicators, etc.
- doorways - consideration should be given to adequate circulation space, the ease of door opening (weight of door/handles) and the requirement for visual indicators or colour contrast
- toilets - the provision of an accessible toilet, with adequate circulation space, grab rails, access to sinks, taps, paper towels, adequate visual / tactile indicators for the toilet and the ease of door opening
- workspace - the access and use of appropriate equipment, taking into consideration the heights of desk/equipment, visual/tactile or auditory cues required, circulation space and the provision of specialised equipment such as computer and adaptive technology.
(Standards Australia 1992; Standards Australia 2001; HREOC)
To get advice or assistance that ensures you comply with these requirements you should contact one of the many access consultancy services available online.
A good starting point would be the Association of Consultants in Access Australia.
- Address: 326 Autumn Street, HERNE HILL, VIC., 3218
- Telephone: +61 3 5221 2820
- Facsimile: +61 3 5221 2820