Friday 5 June 2009
Making the education revolution accessible for everyone
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, has congratulated the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and her Department on the preparation of a fact sheet on the interaction of proposed new Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards) and the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program.
The BER program will provide infrastructure funding to more than 9000 schools throughout Australia over the next three years, providing education service providers with an opportunity to improve access for all students, staff and parents who have a disability.
Though the Premises Standards are not yet law, the government is encouraging education authorities and schools to consider them in the development and construction phases of BER projects and to give particular attention to:
- accessible sanitary facilities;
- circulation space in lifts and at doorways;
- passing or turning spaces along long passageways;
- access to upper floors, either via ramp or lift; and
- appropriate access for people with hearing or vision impairment.
“It is very important that students with a disability, and their teachers and parents who may also have a disability, have the greatest possible access to the school environment and I want to congratulate the Minister and her Department for this initiative,” said Mr Innes.
For more information on BER: www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au
The fact sheet can be found at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/BuildingTheEducationRevolution/Pages/DisabilityStandards.aspx
For information on the Parliamentary Inquiry and copies of the draft Premises Standards instrument and accompanying Guidelines:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca/disabilitystandards/tor.htm
For more information on design and construction for access:
www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/good.htm
Media contact: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
