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The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is an all embracing complaints based legislation that extends beyond the parts of buildings regulated by the National Construction Code (NCC).
Practitioners face potential discrimination issues in the design and provision of fit out items such as reception desks, tea points and change facilities in shops etc, which are not regulated by the NCC. There are also external elements such as drinking fountains that should be accessible for all. Refer Acumen notes Access guides for fit out.
Australian Standards are developing details for sensory impaired (hearing or vision) which are not referenced in the NCC but are important design tools for practitioners.
This set of Acumen notes 'Access guides for best practice and inclusive design', together with the Access guides for fit out, provide details of best practice to assist practitioners in meeting their wider obligations under the DDA.
Further resources:
- Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), 2023, ABCB Voluntary Standard for Livable Housing Design: Beyond Minimum
- See Environment case study Bay Pavilions Arts + Aquatic for universal and inclusive design considerations. Designed on a single level to avoid unnecessary steps or level changes, all key entries ensure universal access. The facility includes intuitive wayfinding and hearing augmentation with consideration of speech intelligibility. All pools include ramp or beach entry access to provide dignified entry to all users.
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