Disability Access

Where projects vary from the prescribed Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) provisions, DDEG (Access) can help demonstrate compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements. This enables costs savings through flexibility with designs to suit specific needs of the occupants for whom standards prescriptive solutions may be unsatisfactory or impractical. This approach stems from the discipline of Fire Engineering whereby new technologies and relationships between occupants and buildings can be drawn upon to develop a solution which either complies with the Performance Requirements or is at least equivalent to the DTS provisions.

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Due to our range of experience within the Built Environment we are confident of our ability to deliver Performance Based Solutions that are not only technically robust to meet compliance with the Building Code of Australia and Premises Standards but are also concise and easy to interpret.

Interpreting Disability Access legislation can be complex and costly. To provide peace of mind that projects are designed for compliance with disability access requirements, we will work with you throughout various phases of the documentation, such as:

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• Town Planning

• Schematic/Concept Design

• Design Development/Tender Documentation

• Construction Documentation

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These reviews are a diligent step in ensuring that your project commences on time and is completed on time by avoiding any unforeseen accessibility hold ups during the Building Approval process.

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Our input during the design process can help reduce construction costs while ensuring all relevant building legislation has been met. We also prescribe to adopting a best practice approach - such as Universal Design - to ensure that buildings not only meet the functional needs of people with disabilities but all potential users.

As registered Livable Housing Assessors we have the expertise to provide design advice and complete inspections to ensure that your design meets Performance Levels Silver, Gold or Platinum of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) refers to segment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and refers to accommodation for people who require specialist housing solutions, including to assist with the delivery of supports that cater for their extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

SDA houses are categorised by the following Designs types:

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1. Improved Liveability;

2. Robust;

3. Fully Accessible; and

4. High Physical Support.

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To ensure that your development demonstrates compliance with the appropriate design category we can offer advice and certification throughout the design and construction phases.

Where there is uncertainty about the level of compliance of a building, new or existing, DDEG (Access) can undertake Disability Access Audits to determine any accessibility shortfalls and offer design advice/solutions on compliance. All our reviews are conscious to enhance accessibility through considering a Universal Design Approach that ensures that what is delivered can offer access to the widest range of people.

DDEG (Access) can undertake Disability Access inspections during all stages of development to ensure that the project complies with access building requirements. These inspections provide a level of certainty that the project is and has been constructed correctly to avoid any hold ups when the development is ready for handover.

Disability Action Plans are an important way to improve business practices by identifying potential areas of discrimination and implementing appropriate practices to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities.

At DDEG (Access) we work with you to understand how your business operates in order to tailor a suitable plan to fit your goals. Plans will identify current and future areas of concern to not only remove potential discriminatory practices against people with disabilities but enhance access for all potential occupants. 

For that additional level of certainty that your project meets compliance DDEG (Access) offers peer reviews of reports completed by other Disability Access consultants, including Design reviews, Performance Solutions, Access Audits etc. Our team of experts hold qualifications in Performance-Based Building and Fire Codes, registrations in both Building Surveying and Fire Safety as well as membership with the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA).

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