What facilities must be provided?
The basic objective of the Building Act (see section 118) is that people with disabilities must be able to 'carry out normal activities and processes' in the accommodation building. For example, a wheelchair user should be able to occupy the accessible unit and use the facilities in the same way as anyone else.
A number of Building Code clauses have specific requirements that will affect access in accommodation buildings, including specifically:
- D1 Access routes refers to the accessible route from the street boundary and from the accessible car park, and within the building. The Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 specifies the number of accessible units that must be provided in relation to the total number of units in accommodation buildings
- F8 Signs has a general requirement for signs for accessible facilities
- G1 Personal hygiene covers accessible toilets and showers
- G2 Laundering has a requirement for accessible laundries at camping grounds
- G3 Food preparation and prevention of contamination requires accessible food preparation areas at camping grounds and in accessible accommodation units
- G5 Interior environment requires accessible reception counters
- G9 Electricity has a requirement for light switches and plug sockets to be usable by people with disabilities, which in practice means they must be within easy reach.
International symbol of access (ISA)
Know what the international symbol of access means, where it should be used and how to use it well.