What We Do

Access Audits

AAA has undertaken thousands of access audits of buildings, facilities and services.

Commissioning access audits provides the opportunity to identify access barriers within existing buildings, facilities and open spaces. Access Audits Australia's access professionals can undertake a comprehensive audit program to meet your requirements. These audits respond to legislative requirements, relevant Australian Standards and other access regulations and guidelines.

The focus of the audit is based on a multi disability perspective which ensures issues for people with a range of disabilities are considered. These include:

physical
intellectual
psychiatric
cognitive or sensory (hearing or vision impairment)
learning difficulties

Access Audits Australia has arguably undertaken more access audits in Australia than any other organisation. We have extensive experience in undertaking audits of all types of buildings and facilities, through on-site visits and inspection at each location to identify barriers that restrict access and provision of recommendations for action to remove these. These facilities include:

community facilities
toilets
entertainment facilities
leisure and swim centres
car parking areas
office premises
shops and retail centres
sporting facilities
outdoor recreation areas
playgrounds
parks and reserves
child care centres
libraries
offices

Access Appraisals

Buildings
Identifying the key access issues in buildings and facilities is essential when considering upgrades to a facility. An Access Appraisal, whilst not as detailed as an Access Audit, can greatly assist in identifying the key elements that need to be addressed to improve ‘access for all’ to any premises or facilities. An Access Appraisal includes identification of physical access barriers as well as other practical issues that can impact on the usability of the facility. It provides recommendations for action to assist in the management of the facility and to support improved access for all users including people with disabilities, older adults and people using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, prams, strollers or delivery trolleys.

Streetscapes
Effective access to shopping facilities is an ongoing requirement for most people. Often retail, business premises and streetscape areas do not provide easy access for:

older persons
people with prams
young children
delivery and service personnel
emergency personnel
people with disabilities

Responsive design for outdoor areas needs to be equitable and therefore inclusive of the needs of all of the community.

Streetscape appraisals involve an evaluation of the existing conditions relating to access throughout the precinct, together with recommendations for possible improvements. This process also incorporates inspection of the precinct, in consultation with responsible staff and design professionals, to assist identification of issues and highlight opportunities to improve access for all.

Playspace Precincts
Enjoyable, challenging and creative play areas are the main focus of playground precincts. Many people like to use playground precincts including children, parents, grandparents and visitors, some of whom will have disabilities.It is most important for children with disabilities to be able to participate in and utilise various aspects of playground precincts and not be relegated to 'only watching'. It is essential that the needs of children with a variety of abilities be considered in design and development of play areas, and selection of play components.

A playground appraisal is undertaken to identify the access barriers for all users and to recommend appropriate access responses within and around play precincts.

Outdoor Environments
Access responsive design creates opportunities for a wide range of people to experience outdoor environments and public spaces, whether these are:

parks and reserves
foreshores and boardwalks
sporting facilities
landscape areas
outdoor entertainment venues and festival sites.

Appropriate advice during an establishment or revitalisation phase can assist in achieving accessible outdoor environments. General or specific access guidelines can also be developed to support outdoor events.

Service Appraisal
Further to the need for an accessible physical environment, services provided to members of the public also need to be inclusive to all. An appraisal of all elements of your business / service including adaptive technology, customer services, alternative formats, and provision of information along with the physical access elements will highlight opportunities for access for all.

Disability Action Plans

Many organisations have a statutory requirement to develop and implement a Disability Action Plan. Most understand that this process establishes a proactive approach to improving access and provides opportunities for all people to equitably access services, facilities, communications, employment and planning systems, as well ad reducing the risk of complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).

The task of facilitating the development of an effective Disability Action Plan can be a daunting prospect however AAA can facilitate this process for you. We can work with you to develop, implement, monitor, evaluation and update your plan. We can facilitate the whole process or work with you on key elements as you require.

We can assist you to ensure that a Disability Action Plan is developed which incorporates the key elements necessary to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and other relevant legislation. This will ensure that your organisation can maximise the benefits and opportunities of providing ‘access for all’.