What is Access Consulting?
Access consulting is a specialised field that focuses on ensuring that buildings and other facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes a wide range of issues such as wheelchair accessibility, visual and hearing impairments, and cognitive disabilities. The goal of access consulting is to provide equal opportunity for access and use of buildings and to ensure that they can be used safely and comfortably.
The National Construction Code (NCC) and the Building Code of Australia (BCA) are the primary regulations that govern building and construction in Australia. They set out the minimum standards for accessibility and other aspects of building design and construction. Access consultants work to ensure that buildings comply with these regulations and meet the needs of people with disabilities.
In addition to the above; Australia also has the Disability Access to Premises Standards (DAPS) which provide detailed information on the design and construction of buildings to ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities. These standards cover a wide range of issues including wheelchair accessibility, visual and hearing impairments, and cognitive disabilities. The DAPS are intended to be read in conjunction with the NCC and BCA and provide additional guidance to ensure that buildings are accessible to people with disabilities.
Access consulting has a long history, with the first laws mandating accessibility in buildings being passed in the United States in the 1960s. Since then, many countries have followed suit, including Australia. The Disability Discrimination Act (1992) was legislated in Australia and it made it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in areas such as housing, education and access to goods and services. This act was followed by the introduction of the NCC and BCA in the 1990s, which have been updated several times to keep pace with changes in technology and society.
Access consultants typically work with architects, builders, and other construction professionals to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to be accessible. They may also work with individuals and organisations to retrofit existing buildings to meet accessibility standards. This can include everything from adding ramps and elevators to making sure that doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs to pass through, and to ensure that the building meet the standard outlined in the Disability Access to Premises Standards (DAPS).
In conclusion, access consulting is an integral field that ensures that buildings and other facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. The NCC is the primary regulation that governs building and construction in Australia and it was legislated in Australia with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) . Additionally, the Disability Access to Premises Standards (DAPS) provides detailed information on the design and construction of buildings to ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities. Access consultants work to ensure that buildings comply with these regulations and meet the needs of people with disabilities, and typically work with architects, builders, and other construction professionals to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed to be accessible, and to make sure that existing buildings are retrofitted to meet accessibility standards.