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Access Matters fully understands the importance of providing access to built environments that is easy for any person to navigate. As Access Consultants, we offer turnkey access consulting solutions.

The power of inclusion

In NSW, about one in five people live with disability. Limitations on their means to communicate, move freely or achieve self-care activities are worsened by not being able to comfortably access built infrastructure… and this is avoidable.

With a significant number of people in NSW affected by disability, access is a key consideration in planning, construction and development projects to ensure that all environments are accessible to everyone.

At Access Matters, we have in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of all the requirements under the anti-discrimination laws, work health and safety legislation and building control regulations to offer turnkey access consulting solutions tailored to your project.

Guided by the DDA

The Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1922 (DDA) protects all people in Australia against discrimination based on disability.

Discrimination happens when people with disability – or their relatives, friends and carers – are treated less fairly than people without disability; they are discriminated against.

The DDA expects every area and facility open to the public to be equally accessible to everyone. If people without disability can enter and use an area, so should people with disability… with equal ease. These areas include libraries, places of worship, government offices, health care facilities, restaurants or shops.

Many of us think of access architecture only in terms of people with disabilities that restrict their movement. But the DDA defines disability as physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, neurological and learning related.

In providing easy access for all people with different disabilities, the built environment should include elements such as wheelchair-accessible toilets, lift buttons within reach, tactile and audible lift signals and accessible information to all users of the premises.

Although these regulations sound hard and fast, the DDA does not require you to make access provisions if this will cause major difficulties or excessive costs to you or your organisation.

Engaging professionals in understanding what your options are and whether you comply with the regulations as set out in the DDA is imperative to the success of your project.

Our access consultancy solutions

We provide specialist advice and consultancy solutions to help you achieve the required levels of access within built environments for people with any form of disability.

We work with architects, designers, builders, surveyors and agencies to ensure we incorporate all the access and universal design requirements into the developments.

We offer:

Disability access audits
Access for persons with a disability involves numerous moving parts and distinct phases – all equally important in the development of built environments
Alternative, practical solutions where access compliance is difficult to achieve
Comprehensive recommendations on areas that might have a DDA infringement
Practical recommendations to achieve best practices and meet DDA legislation requirements
Detailed design briefs to guide the development process.

Access for persons with a disability involve numerous moving parts and distinct phases – all equally important in the development of built environments.

Engaging our access consulting solutions early in your development project will result in the most cost-effective design and smooth collaboration with the architect, builders and other role players.

Partner with the experts

Our expert access consultants have years of industry experience offering achievable access solutions for our clients.

We are well versed in what’s required by legislation in ensuring equal access to built environments.

Contact our team today to start the conversation.

Arrange a consultation today

Our expert consultants have years of industry experience offering achievable access solutions for our clients.

Services

Access Matters fully understands the importance of providing access to built environments that is easy for any person to navigate. As Access Consultants, we offer turnkey access consulting solutions.

The power of inclusion

Guided by the DDA

Our access consultancy solutions

Partner with the experts

Arrange a consultation today

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