Building accessible homes for people with disabilities
Chris Grimes,
Bundaberg Regional Access Advisory Committee
May 2004 (36 pages)
Getting it right the first time
This is a quick reference guide prepared by voluntary members of the Bundaberg Regional Access Advisory Committee. Its purpose is to assist builders and trades people to "get it right the first time".
The guide is a handy reference for the minimum and preferred dimensions of fittings and fixtures as well as facilities such as carparks, pathways, and bathrooms/toilets. Design features and styles of hardware (such as handles, hinges, taps, showers) are discussed, including architectural diagrams to illustrate requirements. Topics include:
- Benches and cupboards
- Car parking/driveways/garages/carports
- Doors
- Electrical, lighting
- Ground and floor surfaces
- Finance
- Corridors
- Taps, bathrooms, laundries
- Toilets
- Showers
- Pathways and ramps
- Landings
- Handrails
Based on the relevant standards and building codes, this useful resource provides a summary of key information from the Australian Standards, in an easy to reference booklet that fits in a shirt pocket. It also includes preferred sizes that will become legislation shortly.
The author Chris Grimes is a wheelchair user and technical advisor, who recently designed and built his own accessible home.
The guide was launched on 24 May by the Hon Nita Cunningham MP and has been distributed to all builders, electricians, cabinet makers, plumbers and designers in the Bundaberg region.
Update November 2009: Booklet is no longer available.
NOTE: Members of the Access Committee are also available to personally inspect all buildings and to discuss plans or participate in site conferences within the local area.