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Accessible and Livable Environments

The concept of Universal Design seeks to make products and environments that are useful to the greatest number of people. Products such as Oxo Good Grips (for kitchen utensils) through to accessible buses are good examples where thought can make the product useful for many - even if they have a disability.

This concept extends to the built environment and has included the curb cutouts (in the gutter where you cross a road) and accessible buildings. Changes to the Building Code of Australia (the BCA) have required improved access provisions from 4 May 2011 - but don't include the domestic house.

Shelter is one of the basic needs of humans. The need for accessible housing options has been recognised by governments for some years, and in July 2010, the Australian Government released the " Livable Housing Design Guidelines." Universal Housing Design has been around for some time, and Tech4Life staff have taught and spoken about these concepts for over 15 years. In 2010, with the assistance of Philip Daffara (Futuresense) and Coastland Builders Pty Ltd, Lloyd & Michelle Walker built their family home on the Sunshine Coast that meets all 16 of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.

Pictures of the house are to the right (you can look at them full screen to read annotations), and the specific levels achieved are noted on the table of the guidelines. Tech4Life has gained significant practical experience of some of the challenges of achieving accessible design, and can assist with advice and illustrative education on some of the important factors that designers, builders and owners need to consider.

Key Design Elements in Livable Housing

✔ level of Walker house


1. Dwelling access
Performance statement:	There is a safe and continuous pathway from the street entrance and/or parking area to a dwelling entrance that is level.
Silver Level	A safe and continuous pathway from: the front boundary of the allotment; or a car parking space, where provided, which may include the driveway on the allotment, to a entrance that is level as specified in Element 2. This provision does not apply where the average slope of the ground where the path would feature is steeper than 1:14. The path of travel as referred to in (a) should have a minimum clear width of 1000mm and – an even, firm, slip resistant surface; a crossfall of not more than 1:40; a maximum pathway slope of 1:14. (Landings are to be provided at intervals as detailed in AS1428.1 (2009) for gradients between 1:20 – 1:14).³ a step ramp compliant with AS1428.1 (2009) may be incorporated, with a landing at its head, and foot where there is a change in height of 190mm or less. The landings must have a length of at least 1200mm exclusive of the swing of the door or gate that opens onto them.
Gold Level ✔ (ramp 1:12)	As for silver level except replace (b) with a minimum clear pathway width of 1100mm.
Platinum Level	As for silver level except replace (b) with a minimum clear pathway width of 1200mm provided from: the front boundary of the allotment, and any car parking space, where provided, which may include the driveway on the allotment, to an entrance that is level as specified in Element 2.
2. Dwelling entrance
Performance statement:	There is at least one level entrance into the dwelling to enable home occupants to easily enter and exit the dwelling.
Silver Level	The dwelling should provide an entrance door with - a minimum clear opening width of 820mm; a level transition and threshold (maximum vertical tolerance of 5mm between abutting surfaces is allowable provided the lip is rounded or beveled); and reasonable shelter from the weather. A level landing area of 1200mm x 1200mm should be provided at the level entrance door. Where the threshold at the entrance exceeds 5mm a ramped threshold of up to 56mm compliant with AS1428.1 (2001) may be provided. (Refer Figure 1) The level entrance should be connected to the safe and continuous pathway as specified in Element 1. Note: The entrance must incorporate waterproofing and termite management requirements as specified in the BCA.
Gold Level	As for silver level except replace (b) with a level landing area of 1350mm x 1350mm and (a) (i) with minimum clear door opening width of 850mm.
Platinum Level ✔	As for silver level except replace (b) with a level landing area 1500mm x 1500mm and (a) (i) with a minimum clear door opening width of 900mm.
3. Car parking (where part of the dwelling access)
Performance statement:	Where the parking space is part of the dwelling access it should allow a person to open their car doors fully and easily move around the vehicle.
Silver Level	Where the parking area forms part of the access pathway into the dwelling the space should incorporate - minimum dimensions of at least 3200mm (width) x 5400mm (length); an even, firm and slip resistant surface; and a level surface (1:40 maximum gradient, 1:33 maximum gradient for bitumen).
Gold Level	As for silver level with the following additional features incorporated for Class 1a dwellings: iv. where practicable, a vertical clearance over the parking space of 2500mm; and v. where possible, it is desirable that the parking space be covered to ensure protection from the weather.
Platinum Level ✔	As for gold level for Class 1a dwellings except that parking space should provide minimum dimensions of at least 3800mm x 6000mm. b. For Class 2 dwellings, parking spaces compliant with the accessible parking provisions detailed in AS2890.6 (2009), should be provided as follows: where individual parking spaces form part of the individual unit's title, one accessible parking space should be provided for each unit; and if visitor parking is provided, then 1 space per 100 units (or part thereof) should be an accessible parking space.
4. Internal doors & corridors
Performance statement:	Internal doors and corridors facilitate comfortable and unimpeded movement between spaces.
Silver Level	Doorways to rooms on the entry level used for living, dining, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry and sanitary compartment purposes should provide: a minimum clear opening width of 820mm; and a level transition and threshold (maximum vertical tolerance of 5mm between abutting surfaces is allowable provided the lip is rounded or beveled). Internal corridors/passageways to the doorways referred to in (a) should provide a minimum clear width of 1000mm.
Gold Level ✔	As for the silver level except replace (a) (i) with a minimum clear opening width of 850mm and (b) with a minimum corridor/passageway width of 1200mm.
Platinum Level	As for the silver level except replace (a) (i) with a minimum clear opening width of 900mm and (b) with a minimum corridor/passageway width of 1200mm.
5. Toilet
Performance statement:	The ground (or entry) level has a toilet to support easy access for home occupants and visitors.
Silver Level	Dwellings should have toilet on the ground (or entry) level that provides: a minimum clear width of 900mm between the walls of the bathroom if located in a separate room; and a minimum 1200mm clear circulation space forward of the toilet pan exclusive of the swing of the door in accordance with Figure 1. If the toilet is located within the ground (or entry) level bathroom, the toilet pan should be located in the corner of the room to enable the installation of grabrails.
Gold Level ✔	As for silver level except replace (a) (i) with a minimum clear width of 1200mm between the walls of the bathroom if located in a separate room.
Platinum Level	As for the gold level with the following additional features: iii. the toilet pan is positioned between 450mm – 460mm from the nearest wall as measured from the centre line of the toilet; iv. 600mm minimum clearance is provided forward of the cistern measured from the front of the cistern to the front of the toilet pan. 800mm (+/-10mm) clearance is required if the cistern is recessed; and v. the height of the pan is between 460mm - 480mm above the finished floor level.
6. Shower
Performance statement:	The bathroom and shower is designed for easy and independent access for all home occupants.
Silver Level	One bathroom should feature a slip resistant, hobless (step-free) shower recess. Shower screens are permitted provided they can be removed at a later date. The shower recess should be located in the corner of the room to enable the installation of grabrails at a future date.
Gold Level ✔	As for silver level except that the hobless (step-free) shower recess described in (a) should - be located in a bathroom on the ground (or entry) level; provide dimensions of 900mm x 900mm; and provide a clear space of 1200mm x 1200mm forward of the shower recess entry.
Platinum Level	As for gold level except that the hobless (step-free) shower recess should - ii. provide dimensions of 1160mm x 1100mm; and iii. provide a clear space 1400mm x 1600mm forward of the shower recess entry.
7. Reinforcement of bathroom & toilet walls
Performance statement:	The bathroom and toilet walls are built to enable grabrails to be safely and economically installed.
Silver Level	Except for walls constructed of solid masonry or concrete, the walls around the shower, bath (if provided) and toilet should be reinforced to provide a fixing surface for the safe installation of grabrails. The fastenings, wall reinforcement and grabrails combined must be able to withstand 1100N of force applied in any position and in any direction. The walls around the toilet are to be reinforced by installing - noggings with a thickness of at least 25mm in accordance with Figure 2a; or sheeting with a thickness of at least 12mm in accordance with Figure 2b. The walls around the bath are to be reinforced by installing – noggings with a thickness of at least 25mm in accordance with Figure 3a; or sheeting with a thickness of at least 12mm in accordance with Figure 3b. The walls around the hobless (step-free) shower recess are to be reinforced by installing – noggings with a thickness of at least 25mm in accordance with Figure 4a; or sheeting with a thickness of at least 12mm in accordance with Figure 4b.
Gold Level ✔	Silver level requirements apply.
Platinum Level ✔	Silver level requirements apply.

8. Kitchen space
Performance statement:	The kitchen space is designed to support ease of movement between fixed benches and to support easy adaptation.
Silver Level	No requirements.
Gold Level	The kitchen space should be designed to support ease of movement and adaptation with – at least 1200mm clearance provided in front of fixed benches and appliances; and slip resistant flooring.⁴ Where practicable, floor finishes should extend under kitchen cabinetry to enable cupboards to be moved without affecting the flooring.
Platinum Level ✔	As for the gold level except that the kitchen space described in (a) should be designed with - at least 1550mm clearance should be provided in front of fixed benches and appliance; slip resistant flooring; and task lighting above workspaces should be installed.
9. Laundry space
Performance statement:	The laundry space is designed to support ease of movement between fixed benches and to support easy adaptation.
Silver Level	No requirements.
Gold Level ✔	The laundry space should be designed to support ease of movement and adaptation with - at least 1200mm clearance provided in front of fixed benches and appliances; and slip resistant flooring.⁵ Where practicable, floor finishes should extend under laundry cabinetry to enable cupboards to be moved without affecting the flooring.
Platinum Level	As for the gold level except that in laundry space described in (a) should be designed with: at least 1550mm clearance should be provided in front of fixed benches and appliances; slip resistant flooring; and task lighting above workspaces should be installed.
10. Ground (or entry level) Bedroom space
Performance statement:	There is a space on the ground (or entry) level that can be used as a bedroom.
Silver Level	No requirements.
Gold Level	The dwelling features a space (or room) on the ground (or entry) level that: is of at least 10m² with one wall a minimum length of 3m; provides for a minimum path of travel of at least 1000mm on at least one side of the bed.
Platinum Level ✔	As for the gold level with the following additional circulation space requirements: iii. a space 1540mm (width) x 2070mm (in the direction of travel) to be provided on the side on the bed that is closet to the door approach; and iv. a minimum path of travel of 1000mm on the remaining side of the bed.
11. Internal stairways
Performance statement:	Where installed, stairways are designed to reduce the likelihood of injury and also enable future adaptation.
Silver Level	No requirements.
Gold Level ✔ (rear and garage stairs)	Where practicable, stairways in dwellings should provide a minimum clear width of 1000mm and – be straight in design; be positioned adjoining a load-bearing wall; and feature a continuous handrail on at least one side of the stairway. Note: The steps must provide a slip resistant finish and suitable non-slip tread as specified in the BCA. Handrails on both sides of the stairway are preferred.
Platinum Level	Where practicable, stairways in dwellings should provide a minimum clear width of 1200mm and – be straight in design; be positioned adjoining a load-bearing wall; feature continuous handrails on both sides of the stairway; and minimum landing areas of 1200mm x 1200mm at the top and base of the stairway. Note: The steps must provide a slip resistant finish and suitable non-slip tread as specified in the BCA.
12. Switches and Powerpoints
Performance statement:	Light switches and powerpoints are located at heights that are easy to reach for all home occupants.
Silver Level	No requirements.
Gold Level ✔ (generally)	Light switches should be positioned in a consistent location - between 900mm – 1100mm above the finished floor level; and horizontally aligned with the door handle at the entrance to a room. Powerpoints should be installed not lower than 300mm above the finished floor level.
Platinum Level ✔ (in guest room)	As for gold level with the following feature – iii. light and powerpoint switches to be rocker action, toggle or push pad in design with a recommended width of 35mm.
13. Door and Tap hardware
Performance statement:	Home occupants are able to easily and independently open and close doors and safely use tap hardware.
Silver Level	No requirements.
Gold Level	Doorways to feature door hardware installed at between 900mm -1100mm above the finished floor.
Platinum Level ✔	As for gold level with the following features - b. Doorways to feature lever or D-pull style door hardware; and c. Basins, sinks and tubs to feature lever or capstan style tap hardware with a central spout.
14. Family/Living room space
Performance statement:	The family/living room features clear space to enable the home occupant to move in and around the room with ease.
Silver and Gold Levels	No requirements.
Platinum Level ✔	The family/living room accommodates a free space, 2250mm in diameter, to enable ease of movement clear of furniture.
15. Window sills
Performance statement:	Windows sills are installed at a height that enables home occupants to view the outdoor space from either a seated or standing position.
Silver and Gold Levels ✔	No requirements.
Platinum Level	Window sills on the ground (or entry) level in living areas and bedroom spaces should be positioned no higher than 1000mm above the finished floor level to facilitate natural surveillance. Window controls should be able to be easy to operate with one hand and located within easy reach from either a seated or standing position. Note: A concession from (a) is reasonable in kitchen, bathroom and utility spaces.
16. Flooring
Performance statement:	Floor coverings are slip resistant to reduce the likelihood of slips, trips and falls in the home.
Silver and Gold Levels	No requirements.
Platinum Level ✔	All floor coverings should: be firm and even, and feature a level transition between abutting surfaces (maximum vertical tolerance of 5mm between abutting surfaces is allowable provided the lip is rounded or beveled).

Full compliance with the requirements of AS1428.1 is not required. Consideration could be given to ensuring that the design does not preclude the installation of kerb guards, handrails and tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI's) in the future. In the Walker House, a 1:12 ramp was used due to space limits
Polished floor surface does not meet the BCA slip resistance criteria
As per the BCA