Review of disability access for public buildings under way

Councils
that uphold or certify disability access standards for public buildings are
being asked to take part in a scheduled review of the benchmarks.

The
Disability (Access to Premises – Building) Standards 2010 ensure people with disabilities
(and their families, carers and friends) have equal access to public
building,  and that building certifiers,
developers and managers fulfill their responsibilities under the Disability
Discrimination Act 1992.

The
standards are contained in the National Construction Code, and apply to new
buildings, to renovations on existing buildings, and to common areas of
apartment buildings.

The scheduled review of the standards, the second since they were enacted, is being conducted by the Federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.

The
department wants to hear from anyone affected by the criteria, including local
government, building industry representatives and disability advocates, so that
it can better understand if the standards are working as intended.

Initial feedback will help frame the review’s direction and focus, with the initial engagement process open until 2 November.