A broader perspective on what accessibility means is the key to achieving accessible design, according to BuildSurv’s Director Warwick Gregg, who is speaking at a SA Property Council event next week.
His path to becoming an access consultant began with a life-altering event.
“When I had a mountain bike accident at 26, I went over the handlebars and found myself being a quadriplegic, so now I use a wheelchair full time,” he recalled.
“I basically got into access consulting because being an architect, in a wheelchair it’s a bit tricky getting on sites and then everyone started asking all the access questions to me assuming I would know them.
“I’ve certainly got the firsthand knowledge of the having the disability, as well as then the insight of being an architect to see how we can impact design or include things so easily to make things more user friendly.”
One of the key messages Mr Gregg emphasises is the need to broaden the understanding of who benefits from accessible design.
“People quite often just think disability access is about people in wheelchairs or people who are blind,” he said. However, he pointed out that accessibility issues affect a much wider group of people. “When you speak to parents who have had children with prams, they then start to realize what they didn’t before—like how hard it is to get up steps or how doors being too narrow can be an issue.”
He also highlighted how temporary injuries can suddenly make people acutely aware of the barriers they face. The growing aging population is another demographic that will increasingly face accessibility challenges.
Mr Gregg said the building code is quite strict in regard to access—developments must have accessible parking, entrances, toilets, and lift access.
However, he emphasised that universal design goes beyond these requirements.
“And that’s where things are taken a little bit further. Like making sure reception counters aren’t too high for someone like myself in a wheelchair or considering lighting within a building for children on the autism spectrum.
“So it’s trying to even look further than what the regulations require, into some more design issues.”
To achieve accessible design, Mr Gregg emphasises the need to engage Disability Access Consultants.
“The architect can tick the boxes for things that are in the building code, but there are things outside the building code which might impact, like universal design principles. You want a DDA consultant’s to be able to advise on that.
“If you engage at the design stage, the financial impact is certainly less than having to adapt things later. So it’s always best to get in early in the design.”
Mr Gregg said while some developers are keen on providing accessible and inclusive design, there is still some resistance.
“You’ve got some developers who are very keen on providing accessible and inclusive designs. But then there is still sometimes a kickback.”