Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Report allows us to go forward on building access for people with disability
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, has welcomed the report of the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs inquiry into the draft Premises Standards, urging the Government to adopt the Committee’s recommendations and proceed to finalise the standards as soon as possible.
"This project has been under discussion for almost a decade, during which thousands of buildings have been built or renovated without sufficient access for people with a disability," said Mr Innes. "The Committee has now delivered a thorough and realistic set of recommendations which allow us to move forward quickly to complete the project."
The Premises Standards clarify the responsibilities of the property and building industry under the Disability Discrimination Act and provide technical details for the design and construction of buildings so that they are accessible to people with a disability.
Following extensive consultation, during which over 130 submissions were received, the recommendations made by the Parliamentary inquiry for improvement of the draft, include:
- requiring access to the common areas of apartment blocks;
- improving access and safety features on all stairways;
- clarifying and limiting some of the exemptions in the current draft; and
- ensuring a timely and effective review process on the implementation of the standards.
"I congratulate the Committee on their work and encourage the Attorney General and Minister for Innovation Industry, Science and Research to grab this opportunity to provide surety to the building industry and significantly improve access and participation for people with a disability," Commissioner Innes said.
Adoption of the Premises Standards would be accompanied by changes to the Building Code of Australia to ensure consistency.
Commissioner Innes said the completion of this work was tremendously important as it will not only benefit people with a disability, but government, the design and property sectors and, ultimately, all Australians as we grow older.
For more information on the Premises Standards see: www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html
For background information see www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/view.htm
Media contact: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
