The Disability Information and Resource Centre

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

Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland, MP

2 December 2008

On the eve of International Day of Persons with Disability, the Rudd Government today tabled draft Disability Standards for Access to Premises.

The Standards will help provide better access to new and upgraded public buildings for people with a disability by making it clearer what is required to avoid discrimination.  The requirements of the Standards will be mirrored in the Building Code of Australia.  This will greatly reduce complexity by aligning building law and discrimination law.

“The Rudd Government’s view is that access to public and commercial buildings for all members of our society is critical for achieving social inclusion,” Mr McClelland said.

“These initiatives will have a positive impact on the daily lives of people with a disability – providing better access to premises such as shops, government offices and hotels.  It will make their rights clearer and more certain.”

Minister for Innovation Senator Kim Carr said, “Harmonising the access requirements and the Building Code of Australia will not only provide people with a disability with greater access to public buildings but it will provide certainty for the building industry.”

The Premises Standards were requested by the building and disability sectors back in 2001.  Regrettably, the former Government failed to deliver. In contrast, the Rudd Government has made these a priority, tabling the draft Standards after only 12 months.

“Access to premises has been put in the too hard basket for too long,” Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services Bill Shorten said.

“This is a significant step forward in giving people with disability the opportunity to fully participate in public life.”

This work is part of the Rudd Government’s long term agenda to achieve better outcomes for people with disability and their families.

The Government intends referring the draft Standards to the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for a final public consultation, which will report in the first half of 2009.

The Standards and documents can be accessed at: www.ag.gov.au/premisesstandards.