The DDA (1992) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of disability. The broad objectives of the DDA include eliminating, as far as possible, discrimination against people on the ground of disability, and promoting recognition and acceptance within the community that persons with a disability have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.

The DDA sets out the specific areas in which it prohibits a person being discriminated against on the ground of their disability. These areas include accommodation, employment, goods, services and facilities, public transport and premises.

Significant consultation has been undertaken on these standards which should be available for comment in draft form mid 2002. Check out Australian Building Codes Board website. Until this Standard is in place, just what is 'reasonable access' is being determined by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) on a case by case basis.

The DDA Standard on Access will be called up through the Building Code of Australia (BCA, AS1428). This Standard will have provisions on access for people with vision impairments, hearing impairments, and physical disabilities. Builders, developers and architects can be sure that by complying with this Standard they will be deemed to comply with the DDA. It is important to note that there will be requirements for existing buildings undergoing redevelopment to comply to this new Standard also.

"Graduation Ceremony must be accessible"

A student with a disability wished to attend the graduation ceremony at his Queensland University which was initially scheduled to be held at an inaccessible venue. The Commissioner ordered that the ceremony be moved to an accessible venue.

"Accessibility must be demonstrated at shopping centre planning stage"

A woman who used a wheelchair for mobility challenged the plans for a major shopping centre redevelopment because it failed to provide adequate access (including lifts) for people in wheelchairs. In a conciliated agreement the developers reworked the plans to include better wheelchair access.

"Action Plan helps protect against discrimination claims"

A person with a disability complained that his local council had failed to ensure council premises were accessible to people in wheelchairs. The council has adopted and submitted a DDA Action Plan which gave all public facilities requiring modication a priority within the overall plan. The complainant was informed that council would report annually on progress of modifications. The council was deemed to comply with the spirit of the DDA.

"Remove access barriers when renovating"

A woman who uses a wheelchair for mobility complained that renovation of a cafe had been approved and implemented without removing a front step (access barrier). The matter was resolved through concilation when the cafe agreed to provide a portable ramp and install a sign to inform patrons.