Monday, 12 January 2004
New Standard means better access to buildings
Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski today welcomed the release of a draft Premises Standard which covers access to buildings.
The draft has been developed by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and representatives from the disability sector, property owners and developers, regulators, designers, the federal Government and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
“This draft has been many years in the making and is an important development in ensuring our building and anti-discrimination laws are clear and consistent,” said Dr Ozdowski.
The draft proposes new requirements for access to buildings, such as the number of entrances that have to be accessible, the circulation spaces in corridors and through doorways, access into swimming pools and improvements in information given to people in lifts.
“The major benefits of a Premises Standard are that people with disabilities will have far better access to buildings for business, education and leisure purposes,” the Commissioner said.
“Building owners and operators will also know that if they comply with the Standard then they will be fulfilling their legal responsibilities to not discriminate.”
The draft Premises Standard is available for public comment up to the end of April, with a number of public information sessions being conducted around Australia in early February. Following this, the Government will consider submitting the final draft to Parliament for adoption as a Disability Standard under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
“This is a very important time for people with disabilities and all involved in the building industry and I urge everyone to have their say on the draft proposals,” Dr Ozdowski said.
Copies of the draft, related documents and details of the public awareness sessions are available on the ABCB website at www.abcb.gov.au or by calling 02 6213 7240 or faxing 02 6213 7287.
Media contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 12 January 2004.
