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  Physical Disability

Core information

Access Issues:

Levels

Level, or almost level access is a definite advantage for people with a mobility impairment, whether they are a wheelchair user or ambulatory impaired. It is also easier to gain access to a building via a ramp than by steps.

Parking

Private car parking spaces need to be large enough to enable a person with a wheel chair to get in and out of both the car and the parking space. A car parking space width of 3.8 metres minimum is necessary to enable a driver to alight, open the passenger side door and assist a person with a disability into a wheelchair, or for a side loading ramp.

• a 3.8m minimum width is also required for a driver with a disability to unload a wheelchair and to alight

• a roof over the car parking space is desirable

Path of travel

An accessible path of travel from the street frontage car parking area or drop- off point needs to be provided. As a minimum this accessible path should comply with Australian Standard 1428.1 (that is about 1:40 without handrails or with handrails if below 1:40 and be continuous, slip-resistant and hard- surfaced and should not incorporate any step, stairway or impediment which would prevent it from being safely negotiated by people with a disability).

• it is advisable passing areas should be incorporated (AS1428.2 provides specifications) ¥ where ramps are essential an alternative route using appropriate long steps to suit users of walking frames may be considered (AS1428.2)

• lights at exterior entrances and pathways can be switched on by automatic sensors. This also enhances security.

• ramps should be of a gradient required by the AS1428.1, (if over 1250mm in length, 1:14 is acceptable and if below that length, 1:8) whether they be step ramps (usually used to overcome one step only into a door), kerb ramps (usually used as a gutter crossing) or a ramp used to negotiate from one level of a building to another (where it is not practical or cost effective to use a lift).

• in some cases, people with ambulatory impairments and people with sight impairments find that stairs are easier to manage than ramps, a far greater distance must be covered on a ramp to accomplish the same vertical distance on stairs.

People with a sight impairment benefit from a strip of contrasting colour applied to the edge of the step.

Entry points

At least one entry door complying with AS1428.1 should be available

entry doors should preferably have a porch or some other form of protection from the weather

consideration should be given to features like a shelf on which to rest parcels when opening the door

when the accessible door is exposed to the weather it should have a landing outside the door with a maximum fall of 1:40 and a low threshold at the entry door to exclude water. The threshold needs to allow for a smooth transition of a wheelchair

the area of the landing needs to be sufficient to enable wheelchair manoeuvrability. An area of 1550mm generally satisfies this requirement.

doors throughout generally require a minimum opening of 820mm

the door handle and related hardware should be of the type that allows the door to be unlocked and opened with one hand

lever handles are preferred because doorknobs do not provide an adequate grip for people with hand impairment

all door handles need to be fitted at a height which is easy to reach from a wheelchair (refer AS1428.1) 

Surfaces

Wet floor surfaces such as toilet areas should be "non slip" and water resistant. Floor surfaces of dry areas where carpet is fitted should have a firm underlay fitted to allow a wheelchair user ease of manoeuvrability.  The carpet should be short pile.

Some people with ambulatory disabilities prefer carpeted surfaces which give secure footing - generally wheelchair users prefer a smooth, hard surface

Accessibility

Accessibility to books on shelves needs to be given consideration. Consider the most appropriate way to enable people with a physical disability to have access to browsing and/or searching for books (Refer "Activities")