New Video describing the Access Peer Review process and benefits

Posted on by Lee Wilson, Access Consultant, Universal Design Consultant

Access Peer Review StampHi, I am pleased to announce that the first of my YouTube videos has been uploaded. In this video, we describe the peer review process, discuss access consultants, the benefits of a peer review and measures to ensure compliance and mitigate risk. It’s only a short video, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy.

Closed captioning is available, just click the button on the bottom right hand side, next to the ‘cog’, after the video starts to play to bring up the sub-titles.

Thank you

Lee Wilson, Disability Access Consultant

AS1428 Suite of Standards

Posted on by Lee Wilson, Access Consultant, Universal Design Consultant

The Australian Standard 1428 suite of standards are the main accessibility standards used within the built environment in Australia.

Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street MelbourneThe standards provide guidance on the requirements for people with disabilities.

There are five parts to the suite, though it is important to note that only Part 1 and Part 4 have been referenced within the BCA, the remaining three parts are considered best practice under the DDA:

  • AS 1428.1-2009
 Design for access and mobility – General requirements for access – New building work
  • AS 1428.2-1992
 Design for access and mobility – Enhanced and additional requirements – Buildings and facilities
  • AS 1428.3-1992
 Design for access and mobility – Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities
  • AS/NZS 1428.4.1:2009
 Design for access and mobility – Means to assist the orientation of people with vision impairment – Tactile ground surface indicators
  • AS 1428.5-2010
 Design for access and mobility – Communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired

The objectives of the standards are to provide guidance to industry on the minimum design requirements for new building work to enable access for people with disabilities.

By Lee Wilson, Disability Access / DDA Consultant, Melbourne, Victoria

The National Construction Code

Posted on by Lee Wilson, Access Consultant, Universal Design Consultant

The National Construction Code (NCC) ‘is an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) developed to incorporate all on-site construction requirements into a single code’ (ABCB 2013).

The NCC comprises the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the Plumbing Code of Australia:

  • Volume One: BCA (primarily Class 2 to 9 buildings)
  • Volume Two: BCA (primarily to Class 1 and 10 buildings)
  • Volume Three: Plumbing Code of Australia

The BCA is published by the Australian Building Codes Board and has been updated and published on an annual basis since 1996.  The BCA is adopted by reference into each State or Territories building legislation.

By Lee Wilson, Disability Access / DDA Consultant, Melbourne, Victoria