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Disability Access Consultants: Disability Discrimination Act

There is no doubt that the Premises Standard - Disability Access Code for buildings, which came into effect from May 2011 under the Disability Discrimination Act, will have a major impact on the property sector and the facilities management industry, and that expertise will be required in complying with the new disability access requirements. HENDRY disability access consultants provide expert consultancy services in relation to Disability Access, BCA compliance, and where there is a sound case for doing so, alternative solutions as a means of achieving adequate disability access.

Building Code of Australia - Disability Access

The Disability Access provisions in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) contains performance requirements and deemed to satisfy criteria for buildings which are now incorporated into the BCA, and replace the previous disability access provisions of the BCA for people with disabilities. Compliance with the disability access provisions in the BCA therefore, can be deemed to be compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act. However for an alteration or addition to an existing building, usually driven by a regulation requirement, building surveyors, developers and building managers need to be sure they are correctly applying the Disability Access  requirements of the BCA from the Disability Discrimination Act.

As a consequence of the new disability access provisions, the BCA more extensively covers features such as lifts, stairs, ramps, toilets and corridors in buildings such as office blocks, shops, hotels, motels, and common areas of new apartment buildings. In addition, the various disability access Australian Standards referenced in the Premises Standard (from the Disability Discrimination Act) and the BCA have been revised to more effectively provide for disability access.

HENDRY Disability Access Services

Many building owners and property managers will find themselves in the unenviable position of knowing that the Disability Access provisions stemming from the Disability Discrimination Act in the BCA will have an immediate and direct impact on any proposed alterations in their buildings, but not knowing exactly where they stand, or what is required.

While full and complete Disability Access compliance might be a desired outcome under the Disability Discrimination Act, the reality is that many building owners would benefit immensely from knowing their building's present disability access compliance position, and from having a costed disability access compliance program from which to plan and proceed toward future full compliance.

HENDRY building surveyors provide a complete range of design assessment, inspection, reporting, alternative solution and evaluation services designed to enable and empower building owners in relation to planning for the Disability Access requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and the BCA.

Our disability access services under the Disability Discrimination Act and the BCA include:

Plan Assessment

• Independent checking and assessment of designs and plans for new buildings, and plans for upgrades, extensions, refurbishments and alterations for existing buildings that require a building permit.
• Reporting of disability access non-compliance design issues, and liaison with the architect, to achieve compliance outcomes. 

Premises Standards and Access Code impacts on new buildings and building alterations

• Establish Disability Access outcomes and cost implications for proposed building works.

Inspections and Regulatory Advice

• Surveys and assessments of current building compliance status and the prioritisation of upgrade items required for future Disability Access compliance planning.

 Solutions and Options

• Evaluation of allowable Disability Access methods.
• Establishment of the appropriateness of dispensations, and alternative solutions and;
• Presenting of alternative disability access solutions to the relevant authorities on behalf of the building owner.

Compliance Auditing and Evaluation

• Assessment of degree of present disability access compliance, using an auditing and evaluation tool, recording the findings, and noting recommended actions.

For an independent appraisal of your building's Disability Access compliance requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act and the BCA, contact HENDRY building surveyors.