Access Auditing
Working towards equity – the outcome
TGSI's Warning of Stairs
The lack of equitable access to buildings and / or infrastructure has been a barrier for many people with disabilities for many years. The percentage of people with disabilities is higher in South Australia (24%) than the national average (19%). There is a strong correlation between ageing and disability, and SA has a higher proportion of aged population than the national average. National figures indicate approximately 15% of people with disabilities will require modification or adaptation to accommodate their disability in workplaces, community infrastructure, housing and to access premises.
The maintenance of warnings is
important
A lack of knowledge, understanding and advice about the need for good design and accessibility, as well as poor advice is leading to expensive alterations when retrofitting and lengthy legal battles. The cost of altering an inequitable or inaccessible path of travel is high. Examples of the cost of alterations made retrospectively to meet equity provisions are the University of SA (North Terrace Campus), which omitted to provide equitable access at the front entrance: $615,000 and the Magistrates Court in Victoria Square, which fitted a ramp after complaints of inequity of access. Another benefit for consideration is the reduction of the costly impact of complaints on all parties.
“As Access Consultants we recognise that planners, designers, architects, engineers, builders, trades people and service providers need people with the experience, knowledge and skills to work with and from whom they can obtain good and current advice.”
Methodology
Good Signage is Important with
Braille incorporated
Access Audits and Advice: HC Harrison Consultants will utilise checklists that refer to a range of Australian Standards (1428 Parts 1, 2, 4 Building; 1735 Lifts various parts; and 2890 Parking Part 1), Advisory Notes on Access to Premises [HREOC], Disability Standards for Access to Public Transport and other documents as required. The Draft Disability Standard for Access to Premises may provide advice as to the intent of enhanced access (until it is passed by Federal Parliament, when it is likely to replace AS1428.1 and 2).
As required we can undertake product research and consultation for and with people with disabilities and peers who work as Access Consultants, those for example who specialise in hearing and deafness services and assistance for people who have low vision or who are blind.
Continuous handrail with 240 degrees
To audit we use a combination of reviewing documentation, sketches, drawings and plans, with on-site recording of linear, gradient and cross-fall measurements to determine compliance with Australian Standards and the Disability Standards for Access to Public Transport and Draft Access to Premises. This data is produced in report form using our database specifically designed for this work. Usually reports are forwarded in draft for comment from and discussion with the project team/client.
HC Harrison Consultants are keen to assist with the development of alternative solutions, where enhanced access through good design principles can be utilised. This is particularly relevant to the use of tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI's), which are a necessary feature to assist those who are vision impaired and blind. However, it is clear that the need for TGSI's can be reduced where environmental and wayfinding cues are designed into streetscapes, buildings, open-space and infrastructure (i.e. a kerb ramp @ 1:8 – 1:8.5 will not need TGSI, providing the kerb ramp meets the requirements of Australian Standards).
HC can value-add!
Consultations: Should a project require any sort of public or targeted consultation, which by law needs to be inclusive of people with disabilities, HC Harrison Consultants will inform the primary consultants if requested of the requirements to ensure people with all disability types and levels are equitably included, encouraged and supported to attend community consultations.
Costing: We work with recognised cost consultants to determine costs of upgrading to meet requirements, as required.
Specialists: Our team can include IT personnel (to work with spreadsheets, particularly where costing is required) and specialists across the field i.e. Building surveyor, OHS&W, assistive hearing, signage and wayfinding.