Good access is good business
Published on 23 February 2021
Did you know that about 20% of Australians have a disability?
Many of us will have a disability at some stage in our lives. This could be either permanent or temporary, such as an injury caused by participating in sport or being involved in an accident. Accessibility can also become an issue as we age, and a consideration for people using prams, strollers and other mobility aids.
Put simply, design that works for people with disabilities works for everyone.
Based on an initiative of the Northern Rivers Regional Access Forum, we've outlined for renovators, builders and developers the minimum requirements to assist in making the built environment more accessible for everyone, at home and in commercial settings. Here are a few things to consider when developing or renovating:
Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs)
TGSIs assist people with vision impairment or who are blind identify hazards, changes in direction and direction along pathways to key installations e.g. bus stops, seating, road crossings. Refer to Australian Standards 1428.4.1 2009 for more information.
Ramps
Standard ramp - The standard ramp grade is 1:14. New ramps (and stairs) must be set back at least 900mm from a property boundary to prevent handrails and tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) protruding into a transverse path of travel.
Threshold ramp - A 1:8 ramp is acceptable at a door threshold, with a maximum rise of 35mm, maximum length of 280mm, and must be located within 20mm of the door leaf which it serves.
Step ramp - A 1:10 ramp can be used for one step. It can have a maximum rise of 190mm and maximum length of 1900mm. Step ramps don’t require TGSIs. Kerb Ramp Kerb ramps should be aligned in the direction of travel, with an opposite kerb ramp where a change of level is no higher than 190mm. The gradient should be no steeper than 1:8 and no longer than 1520mm. Sharp transitions at the change in grade at the top and bottom of the kerb ramp will assist people with vision impairment to detect it.
Kerb ramp - Kerb ramps should be aligned in the direction of travel, with an opposite kerb ramp where a change of level is no higher than 190mm. The gradient should be no steeper than 1:8 and no longer than 1520mm. Sharp transitions at the change in grade at the top and bottom of the kerb ramp will assist people with vision impairment to detect it.
Outdoor pathways
Wherever possible, step-free pathways should be provided. Wider pathways are more effective in meeting the needs of a wide range of users. They should be at least 1200mm wide with a firm, slip resistant surface. For example bitumen, concrete, slip-resistant pavers or closely spaced timber decking.
Path of travel
A maximum 5mm lip (with a bevelled or rounded edge) at abutting surfaces is allowed on a path of travel (eg different adjoining ground surfaces). Outdoors, a path less than 1800mm wide should have wider sections at intervals to allow for passing. In buildings on accessways where a direct line of sight is not available, passing spaces should be provided at maximum 20m intervals and be a minimum length of 2000mm and a minimum width of 1800mm.
Steps
Provide handrails on both sides of steps and contrasting nosing strips on step edges to make them safer to use.
Bathrooms
Toilets - In buildings where toilets are provided, unisex accessible facilities must be provided. The main requirement is to ensure that sufficient pan circulation space is provided. The toilet paper dispenser, grab rails, 100mm of the washbasin, hand dryers and towel dispensers, soap dispensers and shelves, clothes hanging devices and portable sanitary disposal unit are allowed to intrude into the circulation space. Wall cabinets and other wall mounted fixtures may project 150mm from the wall surface above a 900mm minimum height. Circulation space must also be provided outside a unisex accessible toilet door. A retractable baby change table can be included so long as it doesn’t intrude into the circulation space. In domestic housing, consider provision of extra noggings for installation of grab rails in the future. At each bank of toilets where there is one or more toilets in addition to a unisex accessible toilet, an ambulant toilet must also be provided.
Showers - Wheelchair or walking frame accessible, stepless showers can be installed to help a person stay living at home as long as possible.
Features of accessible showers include:
- Step-free floor area
- Shower curtain instead of screen
- Adjustable shower head fitted to a vertical, adjustable grab rail
- Horizontal grab rails
- Folding drop down slip resistant seat with legs
- Clothes hooks at an accessible height
Doors and doorways
The minimum clear opening width is required at any doorway is 850mm, however wider is better. A minimum 30% luminance contrast is required around the perimeter of doorways (eg. architrave) so people with vision impairment can distinguish the door location. Skirting boards should also provide a 30% luminance contrast to assist with distinguishing between vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Furniture and fittings
Shelves, counters, tables and benches should be accessible to everyone. Seats with backs and armrests help older people and people with physical disabilities to stand.
Signage
Locate general internal signs so that they can be seen by people when standing or seated. i.e. not less than 1400mm or more than 1600mm above floor level. The words on toilet signage should be located between 1200–1600mm above floor level as per AS1428.1 2009. A simple font like Arial or Helvetica Medium is easier to read.