Media Release
17 June 2009
If everyone’s home is their castle, then many people with a disability need a ramp, not a drawbridge, to get in.
Carers Australia CEO, Joan Hughes, said new draft building standards may make this possible across Australia, even for short-term occupancy buildings and holiday homes.
She was commenting on a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday [16 June]. Called Access all Areas: Report of the Inquiry into Draft Disability (Access to Premise-Buildings) Standards, the report could significantly improve disabled access to buildings.
The report’s recommendations have wide-ranging national implications for disabled access to premises. The report recommends requiring that all common areas of class 2 buildings (such as residential apartments) have disability access. Currently, building design and access may exclude many people with a disability from using, for example, serviced apartments.
Some four million Australians live with a disability and face problems accessing buildings every day. The draft Premises Standards would make buildings more accessible for those with mobility, vision and hearing difficulties. If adopted, the standards will also provide certainty for developers and building certifiers in ensuring buildings complied with the Disability Discrimination Act.
For the first time, recommended changes to disability access building codes have been extended to some Class 1b buildings, such as smaller boarding houses, cabins, guest houses and hostels.
“Most carers can’t afford a holiday, but if they were travelling with the person they care for it would be a relief to know that building access was improving,” Ms Hughes said.
“Organising a trip can be hard enough without forgetting to ask if the holiday unit has a ramp, not stairs.”
Class 3 buildings, such as backpacker hostels and hotels and motels, will also face new requirements, so that more disabled access units are available.
Carers and people with a disability will also find it easier to take in a show. The recommendations urge an increase in wheelchair accessible spaces in auditoria. Currently the code does not require grouped seating or wheelchair access to a range of locations in any auditorium.
Contacts: Andrew Geraghty, 02 6122 9911 or 0411 444 145
Alison Kemmis, 02 6122 9917 or 0417 604 305
Carers Australia is the recognised national voice of Australian carers. Our members are the carers associations in each state and territory. We have no political affiliation. We work with all parties to achieve better outcomes for all carers.
We believe that all carers are entitled to the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians.
Carers Australia, PO Box 73, DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600, Australia
t: 02 6122 9900 f: 02 6122 9999 Email: caa@carersaustralia.com.au
www.carersaustralia.com.au
