Design principles

Accessibility

An overview of accessibility design principles

The LIM is based on the principle that best practice design aims to seamlessly incorporate universal access (equal access) in the built environment.

Accessibility principles

Designers should consider how to install embellishments to provide universal access for people with a broad range of abilities.

LIM information sheets provide illustrated equal access and positioning design guidance to enable designers to transpose dimensions and ideas into their designs. This information has been reviewed by an accredited access consultant.

See the following document for additional equal access advice:

Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2041 (2024 Refresh and Action Plan 2024-2029)

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

The LIM is in keeping with the intent of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This Act makes it unlawful to disadvantage someone because of that person’s disability in the way that access is provided to the built and urban environment.

Further legislative requirements are contained in the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), and technical guidance is found in Australian Standards – 1428 Design for Access and Mobility set.

Definitions of premises

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992, definition of premises includes:

'a place (whether enclosed, or built on, or not)'.

This definition includes parkland, recreation areas, playgrounds, transport vehicles, all pedestrian infrastructure, and could apply to non building elements such as furniture and fittings.

The purpose of the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 under the DDA is to:

'ensure that dignified, equitable, cost effective and reasonable achievable access to buildings and facilities and services within buildings is provided for people with a disability'.

Universal access (equal access) legislative hierarchy

The following figure illustrates the rank, relative authority (hierarchy) and the content for Federal overarching law and Queensland law as it applies to universal access (equal access).

Figure 1: Equal access legislative hierarchy

Aspects of disability

The definition of disability as described in Disability Discrimination Act 1992:

^{Disability, in relation to a person, means:}

^{(a) total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions; or}
^{(b) total or partial loss of a part of the body; or}
^{(c) the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or}
^{(d) the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or}
^{(e) the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body; or}
^{(f) a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or}
^{(g) a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour; and includes a disability that:}
^{(h) presently exists; or}
^{(i) previously existed but no longer exists; or}
^{(j) may exist in the future (including because of a genetic}
^{predisposition to that disability); or}
^{(k) is imputed to a person.}

^{To avoid doubt, a disability that is otherwise covered by this definition includes behaviour that is a symptom or manifestation of the disability".}

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2018 uses the definition of disability as - "any limitation, restriction or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least six months".

The ABS uses the following broad headings to describe disability groups.

Disability groups

"Disabilities can be broadly grouped depending on whether they relate to functioning of the mind or the senses, or to anatomy or physiology. Disability groups may refer to a single disability or a number of broadly similar disabilities. The Survey of Disability, Aging and Carers (SDAC) module relating to disability groups was designed to identify six separate groups based on the particular type of disability identified.

These groups are:

Sensory

loss of sight (not corrected by glasses or contact lenses)
loss of hearing where communication is restricted or an aid is used
speech difficulties.

Intellectual

difficulty learning or understanding things.

Physical

shortness of breath or breathing difficulties that restrict everyday activities
blackouts, seizures or loss of consciousness
chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort that restricts everyday activities
incomplete use of arms or fingers
difficulty gripping or holding things
incomplete use of feet or legs
restriction in physical activities or in doing physical work
disfigurement or deformity.

Psychosocial

nervous or emotional condition that restricts everyday activities
mental illness or condition requiring help or supervision
memory problems or periods of confusion that restrict everyday activities
social or behavioural difficulties that restrict everyday activities.

Head Injury, stroke or acquired brain injury

head injury, stroke or other acquired brain injury with long-term effects that restrict everyday activities

Other

receiving treatment or medication for any other long-term conditions or ailments and still restricted in everyday activities
any other long-term conditions resulting in a restriction in everyday activities".

^{Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings 2018 (Appendix - disability groups).}

Other considerations for equal access design

Other broad groups to be considered when designing access for public places are as follows:

children and youth
older people
parent/care giver with pram.

Children and youth

Child and youth disability includes a diverse range of health conditions. The type and degree of disability will influence all of the day to day activities in which they participate.

Incorporating equal access principles is important in play spaces, skate parks and sporting and games areas. Identifying barriers and designing facilities that provide an inclusive and safe environment are extremely important to enable families to access these open space areas. Facilities and play elements should provide social, emotional, physical and cognitive play development elements.

The following figure from the Australian Bureau of Statistics demonstrates a range of disabling conditions which exist in Australian children aged up to 14 years.

Figure 2: Children aged 0-14 years, proportion of population with selected disability group (2018)

Older people

Integrating universal access (equal access) design is an important consideration for the Sunshine Coast Council given the demographics of the population. The Sunshine Coast has a high proportion of older residents.

Provision of accessible recreation facilities promotes the health of all Coast residents, in line with Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-2041. It also makes the region attractive for those looking for an accessible holiday destination, and with Australia’s population rapidly ageing, these numbers are expected to increase.

The rate of disabilities generally increases with age, see Figure 3: Disability prevalence rates by age and sex 2018.

Figure 3: Disability prevalence rates by age and sex 2018.

Parent/carer with a pram

Consideration needs to be given to parent/carers with a pram in relation to:

manoeuvring/circulation space around embellishments
space to park a pram of the path of travel i.e. space beside a seat.

Temporary medical condition

Consideration also needs to be given with regards to a person with a temporary injury/condition which may impact their usual function.

Application of universal design (equal access)

The following figure illustrates how universal design (equal access) plays an integral part in the design of our open spaces. In addition, inclusion of uniform treatments assists users with special requirements such as; mobility impairment, low vision, balance etc. See Figure 4: Universal design.

Figure 4: Universal design

Disclaimer

Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.

All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.

This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.

Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.

Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.

This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.

Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.