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New publication on housing accessibility (2002)

New publication on housing accessibility

The Commission is pleased to support the release of a new publication on improving access in the design and building of houses. Prepared by the Building Commission (Victoria) in collaboration with leading government agencies and building industry organizations, Welcome is the first comprehensive Australian guide to designing accessible homes. Welcome is illustrated with drawings and photographs that show you how to improve access for any residential building project. It will appeal to building designers, home builders, access consultants and students.

Welcome takes a fresh look at the way we design and build houses. It is a 140-page document that outlines ideas for improved access in and around a home for all people, irrespective of their age or mobility.

Welcome goes through room-by-room offering helpful advice and tips. For example:

  • The most accessible layout for a house is one with generous open spaces and as few passageways as possible. Hallways, especially narrow corridors, can be difficult for many people to navigate.
  • Good lighting is important as it enhances security and makes paths more visible in poor light, a huge help for the vision impaired.
  • Locate the garage as close as possible to the house with covered, level access to the house. The car space needs to be large enough to allow the car doors to be opened fully without hitting walls or posts. Welcome states the dimensions needed so that a person using a wheelchair, can unload the chair.
  • Bathrooms can be particularly expensive to alter but thinking ahead by installing a shower with level entry or having semi-recessed wash basins means clearer access for everyone. Welcome recommends avoiding placing a shower above a bath, and in many respects, omitting a bath is the best option because they can be difficult to get in and out of.
  • Kitchen areas can be made more accessible for people in wheelchairs by lowering bench tops, having cupboards within easy reach and using mobile units where possible.
  • There is also advice on the most appropriate fences in terms of both their design and operation, mail boxes, garden beds, the most appropriate doors and handles.

The suggestions in Welcome are illustrated with recommended dimensions and are based on Australian Standards.

Major sponsors of Welcome:

  • Archicentre
  • Australian Building Codes Board
  • BRANZ
  • City of Melbourne
  • Department of Housing, Queensland
  • Department of Housing and Works, Western Australia
  • Department of Local Government and Regional Development, Western Australia
  • Disability Services Commission, Western Australia
  • Australian Human Rights Commission
  • Shire of Nillumbik, Victoria
  • Office of Housing, Victoria
  • Royal Australian Institute of Architects
  • South Australian Housing Trust

Sponsors of Welcome:

  • Housing Industry Association
  • Independent Living Centre
  • Master Builders Association

For more information on how to order copies of Welcome go to the Building Commission web site at

http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/welcome/Welcome.asp

or contact the Building Commission at

Building Commission, Welcome Book, PO Box 536E, Melbourne, Vic 3001. Fax 03 9285 6464, Phone 03 9285 6413