Category: Magazine and newspaper articles

General interest stories about inclusion, accessibility and universal design.

Compliance and Inclusion: A case study

The disability discrimination case involving the Sunshine Coast University Hospital provides a few important learning points. The hospital was found to have caused indirect discrimination to people with vision impairments. Rectifying the long list of breaches of the Disability Discrimination Act reaches into the millions of dollars. But does compliance make for inclusion in the prescribed solutions?

The Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SSCU) was the subject of the late Peter Ryan’s complaint. As a legally blind person he claimed disadvantage in the way access was provided for him. The main point was inadequate wayfinding.

External view of Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Learning from the court case

A blog article from the Humanics Collective website discusses the issue of the Court’s demands for specific features to be rectified and/or applied. The Court ruled that the hospital did not meet the obligations of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Access to Premises Standard.

Many areas of the hospital did not contain tactile or Braille signage or a functional wayfinding strategy. This included lack of luminance contrasts, small fonts, and appropriate signage. In addition, floor surfaces and other finishes, including the use of colour, came under scrutiny as well. This impacted Ryan’s ability to navigate the spaces independently and with dignity.

Beyond compliance is required

Humanics Collective was engaged to improve compliance with the Court’s ruling. They assert that complex environments need to consider more than compliance to standards. That’s because it doesn’t guarantee usability, and equity isn’t always achieved through uniformity. Indeed, many people experience issues with finding their way around hospitals.

In their list of solutions, Humanics Collective includes the use of hospital volunteers to assist people with vision impairment. The use of volunteers was used as a defence in the court case, but the key issue is that many aspects of the building and surrounds did not comply with the Access to Premises Standard. You cannot use volunteers as a work-around to make up for deficiencies in the design.

Wayfinding not just about signage

The goal of a wayfinding strategy is to help people find their way. So installing more of the same signage isn’t necessarily the answer. However, the strategy should at the very least provide the statutory minimums.

‘One key point of contention in the ruling was the interpretation of “replace.” We argued that replacement shouldn’t mean reinstalling flawed signage in the same location, but improving usability through better placement, higher contrast, and greater visibility.’ Image from Humanics Collective.

An interior design graphic indicating architectural wayfinding features in a large building. Compliance or inclusion by design.

The Humanics Collective blog suggests the answer is not in more signage but in smarter support. This includes meaningful pre-visit information and training front of house staff to assist people with vision impairment.

Their on-site testing with user groups found that their proposed changes beyond compliance made the space feel easy to navigate. Importantly, users consistently said there is no single vision impairment experience. Consequently, different people use different tools to get around – a cane, a guide dog, signage, and now wayfinding apps on their phone.

The title of the blog post is, “What We Learned from the Court Case: The Sunshine Coast University Hospital ruling and its impact on inclusive wayfinding”. The real learning is not to think management strategies, such as volunteers, are the answer to failings. And make sure you comply with the Access to Premises Standard as a very minimum. Taking a universal design approach to go beyond compliance minimises the risk of indirect discrimination and an action under the DDA.

It’s about the whole journey to and within the building

Everyone should be able to arrive by any means, make their way to the main entrance and to a toilet. They should also be able to find their clinic and practitioner. Hospitals are now relying on digital applications to guide patients. These include screens on which to register arrival and machines to produce a ticket number. Then patients are to locate a screen within the clinic that tells them when their number comes up. Then they are to make their way to the consulting room.

The tall signboard on the right hand side of the image has a black background and very small light grey font. It lists places under Orange Lifts and Purple Lifts. The corridor has a high glaze with lots of reflection and glare. Image from ABC News.

A long hospital corridor with a tall signboard on the right hand side. It has a black background and very small light grey font. It lists places under Orange Lifts and Purple Lifts. The corridor has a high glaze with lots of light reflection and glare.

The journey from the front entrance to the consulting room is fraught with difficulty for many people, not just people with vision impairment. It assumes many different abilities in sight and hearing, speech, dexterity, mobility, and digital literacy.

The Court ruled on two things: the breaches of the Access to Premises Standard, and the indirect discrimination under the DDA. It seems from the blog that Humanics Collective wants to do better than just compliance.

Background to the court case

The 2021 court ruling in Queensland is a reminder to designers and builders not to ignore disability access. But many do, and that is probably because they are unlikely to be called to account. Complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act that go to court are rare.

That’s because the person who experiences the discrimination has to make the complaint. And that’s tough. Court cases are very stressful for complainants who often have fewer resources to cope. 

The Hospital supposedly complied with the National Construction Code and the Access to Premises Standard. However this was not the case and calls into question the issue of building certification. 

This case highlights conflicts of interest could be more common than we know. Both the building certification firm and the access consultants are owned by the same group. Consequently, conflicts of interest can lead to builders ignoring disability access. 

The building won numerous awards for Architecture. So this raises questions about what is judged as a good building. Time to start including accessibility for all in the judging criteria for these awards. 

Unfortunately Peter Ryan passed away before the Judge handed down his decision. A Sourceable article written by Bryce Tolliday has a lot more detail. The title of the article is Non-Compliant Hospital Costs Queensland Taxpayers Millions.

The Human Rights Law Centre has a summary of the Court findings.

ABC News in 2023 has an article about the delays in implementing the remediation work after two years. In 2025 the remediation work is still lacking which could lead to another complaint under the DDA.

Being along for the real experience

The disabling reality of the existing built environment is difficult to understand from a distance. That is the distance of being without disability. Architect Mary Ann Jackson relates several short stories of ‘being along’ for the real experience of disability. She writes about assessments of the built environment using the ‘being along’ method as a powerful educator.

Jackson and colleagues used the being along sessions to assess the built environment with people with disability. The short vignettes highlight how crucial it is for architects to work with people with disability.

A woman and a man walk down a cobbled laneway where the buildings are brightly decorated with public art and graffiti.

The article, An ordinary day, was published in the Australian Institute of Architects magazine on page 22. It illustrates how an ordinary day becomes a major event for people with disability. Here are some key points from the vignettes created from being along in inner Melbourne.

Key points from vignettes

Just getting from the car to the footpath is a no fuss action for most people. But for some it takes some thought and extra effort. “I need time to get out of the driver’s seat, get outside the car, get my stick sorted, and get onto the footpath.” In this case, the footpath involves cobbled bluestone kerbing and guttering making the exercise more difficult. So it is about context as well.

Walking a few metres up the middle of a cobblestoned laneway because the footpath was too narrow to bother with, was just too much for a companion using a wheelchair. Having no footpath in inner city laneways is a problem, but so is lack of footpaths in suburbia.

Hotel bathrooms often include a shower seat, but some guests prefer a shower chair. The public bathroom raised toilet pan used in these bathrooms is not good for shorter people.

Although people who are blind often have well-developed hearing skills, there is a growing cohort of deaf-blind people and silent cars.

A pet peeve is the double mini-step – small threshold upstand of up to 25mm, followed by a level length less than 800mm, followed by another small threshold upstand.

What is not there is also a problem. The lack of public seating, accessible parking, and accessible toilets impacts individual mobility considerably.

The footplates of the powered wheelchair hit hazard TGSIs fixed to the too-steep kerb ramp incline which brought the wheelchair to a grinding halt. (Kerb ramps ideally should be 1 in 10 or flatter with TGSI.)

It shouldn’t be assumed that all dog exercisers are can walk or walk well when accessing dog parks. Pinebark in the park can damage wheelchairs so accessing playgrounds or exercise equipment is tricky if not impossible.

A grinding halt

Coming to a grinding halt is the very definition of inaccessibility. Jackson hopes that these vignettes in the AIA Architecture magazine serve to educate. She believes the architectural profession must be working together with people with disability. Near enough isn’t good enough because accessibility lies in the details being correct.

Hearing augmentation in public buildings

Smart phone apps have been a game changer for many of our daily activities. And now hearing augmentation in public buildings is taking the same route. There is a lot of hype about Auracast and how it will solve problems hearing in different situations. But it will take time for market uptake to make it mainstream. However, it will eventually replace hearing loops, infrared and FM systems.

Sydney Opera House has installed Auracast in the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and Studio. Currently, patrons collect a receiver and headphones from the cloakroom. The FM and hearing loop systems remain in all other areas.

Sydney Opera House at night sporting red coloured sails during the winter festival Vivid. The venue has hearing augmentation.

Auracast claims to help people hear in just about any situation using a smartphone app and either earbuds, headsets or hearing aids. It works with Bluetooth LE and theoretically it is possible on any device that supports Bluetooth 5.2. But not all hearing aids can link with this technology – yet. That’s why the Sydney Opera House has receivers and headphones for people who wear hearing aids.

Specialist in hearing augmentation services, Andrew Stewart, provided the assistive technology sector with a newsletter on this topic. He advises:

“A minimal number of smartphones and some new versions of hearing aids released this year (but not all) currently have Bluetooth LE working. Some manufacturers say their devices have Auracast or are Auracast-ready, which is not entirely true. They need an update via the audiologist’s computer, which is not yet available.”

Uptake will take time and money

Not every model of hearing aid and cochlear processor will immediately have Bluetooth LE. It will take some years for every model of hearing aid and cochlear processor to have it. Plus the high cost of hearing aids means it will take years for people to purchase updated models, and of course the cost of the smartphone.

Hearing loops and FM augmentation systems are here to stay for a while yet. Not all venues with this technology will replace it with Auracast. However, for new and extensively refurbished public buildings it will be much cheaper and easier to install.

The title of Andrew Stewart’s newsletter post is, Auracast – the new buzz word for people with hearing loss.

More on hearing augmentation

How do hearing loops work? this post from 2020 remains relevant.

Just what is a hearing loop? includes an item on how much it improves theatre patronage.

Cities for people with hearing loss is an article expressing frustration that accessibility is not just about wheelchair users. 1 in 6 people have hearing loss.

Risk factors: climate and later age

In the age of climate change Australians are reassessing the risk of floods, fires and severe storms on their homes. But what about assessing the risk of capabilities in later age in home design? Perhaps they should be assessing both. Any proposed renovations should consider both climate and later age to ensure a safe and secure home into the future.

The quote reads, We have guidance on protecting our homes against climate events, but what about safeguarding against a risk that has a 100% probability - ageing?

Geoff Penrose makes the point very well in the April 2025 edition of the Lifemark Universal Design Newsletter. Lifemark promotes universal design principles for homes with a focus on health and wellbeing for all occupants. Their design standards provide the necessary information for that 100% probability factor – later age.

“Universal design helps everyone feel at home.”

“A Lifemark® rated home is easy to live in for anyone at any stage and can be life-changing for people living with an impairment, age-related illness or injury.”

A woman, a man and a small child in a powered wheelchair sit at a dining table doing a jigsaw puzzle together. It looks like a new home. From Lifemark's Standards.

The Lifemark standards reflect those in the Australian National Construction Code’s Livable Housing Design Standard. That’s because they are underpinned by a universal design approach. Unfortunately, while the National Construction Code is supposed to be national, not all states have adopted it. That means, many new homes will still have steps to the entry and be unsuited to an ageing population.

In a LinkedIn post, David Chandler wrote about the reaction of powerful voices to the NSW Building Reforms. He said that the development industry “predictably recoils” whenever a new regulation that raises building standards is presented. This is one of the reasons the housing industry has fought the Livable Housing Standard. It would require the building certifier to pay closer attention to the design and construction.

Get it right first time

Chandler goes on to say that rather than costing more, it pays to get it right first time and to resist cutting corners. This is exactly what universal design advocates have been saying for years. Get it right first time – it’s cost effective. Chandler, the former NSW Building Commissioner, addresses this topic in a Radio National broadcast.

Empathy driven design

Empathy driven design is a catalyst for social change. It challenges architects to consider the broader impact of their designs on social equity to make spaces more inclusive. By integrating empathy into the design process, architects can create more equitable, caring environments that serve the common good. Despite the challenges, empathy driven design is a paradigm shift in architecture, moving away from top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions.

Empathy driven design is based on collaboration. That is, engaging with communities to understand their unique experiences and challenges. The architect becomes a listener and participant in the co-design process. Image courtesy of MASS Design Group from ArchDaily.

A man in a blue shirt is pushing a wheelbarrow downhill beside the construction of a high stone wall of a hospital

An article in ArchDaily explains more about designing with empathy and for social equity. Examples of empathy driven design include, among others, a hospital in Rwanda and a housing project in Chile. Projects in developed countries require the same thought as these examples and show what’s possible.

Challenges and opportunities

One of the most significant hurdles is balancing empathy with practical constraints such as budget, time, and regulatory limitations. Many projects that aim to serve disadvantaged communities are often restricted by tight budgets.

The key issue is the cost of time and project deadlines. Navigating this tension requires creative solutions that make the most of available resources without compromising the project’s empathetic core.

Design alone cannot overcome deeply entrenched societal inequalities. The success of designs depend on both the built environment and broader support systems, such as social services or public policy changes.

The title of the article is, Designing with Empathy: Architecture for Social Equity.

Empathy: the key to inclusive design

Loughborough University has a good track record for inclusive design research. Low vision and manual dexterity are the most common losses for people as they age. Consequently, the study focused on these factors to improve architects’ empathy and understanding of users.

The method involved using glasses and gloves that simulate loss of vision and loss of hand dexterity. Participants wore the glasses and gloves and then given reading, writing and dexterity tasks.

The results show that the tasks challenged their traditional view of disability. Participants began to see it more as a continuum and effecting a wider population.

Key themes

  • Inadequacy of the current building standard.
  • There is no incentive for developers to go beyond minimum compliance.
  • Developers often commission design briefs so the end user is often unknown.
  • In the absence of knowing their end user, they tend to design for themselves.
  • They feel there is a stigma associated with accessible designs and this reinforces the disability-centric concept of able bodied versus disability designs.
  • It challenged their traditional view between ‘able-bodied’ and ‘disabled-users’.
  • A lack of inclusive design training within their undergraduate and post graduate training.
  • Participants felt strongly that commercial, accessible design decisions, mainly addressed physical impairments.
  • All participants reported an increased awareness of the psychological effects of the simulated capability loss, reporting frustration and fatigue.

The title of the article is, How ‘Empathetic modelling’ positively influences Architects’ empathy, informing their Inclusive Design-Thinking.  Arthritis affects one in seven Australians. Opening packages, lifting the kettle and turning door knobs can be difficult and painful. 

The video below shows the gloves and glasses in action.

Designing for empathy

A distant view of a circular seating arrangement in a huge room for the parliamentary members. Designing for empathy in Finland.

Human centred design and inclusive design processes focus taking an empathetic approach to the users. But what if you turn that around and think about designing for empathy itself? To shift from being the empathiser to become an empathy generator? That was the question a team of designers in Finland wanted to know the answer to. Using socio-cultural design tools rather than physical empathy design tools, they created a co-creative process with the Finnish parliament. 

The title of the paper is, Design for Empathy: A co-design case study with the Finnish Parliament. 

From the abstract:

Globalisation and the mixing of people, cultures, religions and languages fuels pressing healthcare, educational, political and other socio-cultural issues. Many issues are driven by society’s struggle to find ways to facilitate more meaningful ways to help overcome the empathy gap which keeps various groups of people apart.

This paper presents a process to design for empathy – as an outcome of design. This extends prior work which typically looks at empathy for design – as a part of the design process, as is common in inclusive design and human centered design process.

We challenge the role of the designer to be more externalised, to shift from an empathiser to become an empathy generator. We develop and demonstrate the process to design for empathy through a co-creation case study aiming to bring empathy into politics.

The Parliament of Finland is the setting for the project. It involves co-creation with six Members of the Parliament from five political parties. We discuss the outcomes of the process including design considerations for future research.

Accessible graphic design

Pictures, photos, infographics, icons – they all convey messages. It is often said that images say more than words. A bar graph gives a visual representation of statistics making it easier to understand. A photo of a landscape in a tourist brochure piques interest in a place. Readily recognised icons send instant messages, such as this is a train station or this is a toilet. But it needs to be accessible graphic design.

Graphic design is an essential element of all communication.

The text box reads Graphic design can be described as the language of vision but is this exclusionary in nature?

The way text is presented also sends messages. For example, a tiny faint font sends the message to people with low vision that they are not included. A busy page with tightly compressed text is readable but uncomfortable.

Images and text are essential elements in visual communication. The importance of accessible and inclusive communication is the subject of a masters thesis by Christine Woolley from Canada. The title is, Equitable access to public information and the role of the graphic designer.

When graphic designers consider accessibility and inclusivity in their work, the result is a better experience for all…

The text reads, appropriate measures must be taken to ensure people with disabilities can access information on an equal basis with others.

Woolley’s research explores how graphic designers learn about, interpret and implement accessibility standards into practice. She used participatory research methods, often referred to as co-design. The outcome is a framework and a set of recommendations for supporting the graphic design industry in Canada.

The thesis discusses many aspects of accessible and inclusive design, and it’s role in equitable access to public information. Woolley has three main pillars of discussion.

  • Understanding the importance of access – the moral angle
  • Understanding industry standards and guidelines – the responsibility angle
  • Understanding accessibility legislation – the legal angle

The framework and recommendations were designed through a collaborative process with participants and represent a collective need for industry support.

Handbook for accessible graphic design

Download this free practical handbook for accessible graphic design from Canada. The text covers typography, digital media, web accessibility, Office documents, accessible PDFs, print design, environmental graphic design, colour selection and more. It’s relatively easy to read and has a logical structure. At the end is a list of publications, links to websites and tools to help.

Better architecture with universal design

Numerous guidelines exist on adherence to standards, but what is designed will be used by people with diverse bodies, abilities. There is no typical user, only what is in the designer’s mind. But it isn’t just about access, it is about being inclusive. That’s where better architecture with universal design comes in.

“When thinking about accessibility in architecture, codes set the baseline, while design defines the ceiling.” Enrique Tovar

A parkland area with walking paths and grass in a city. People are walking and sitting on the grass in groups. It's better architecture.

Tovar writes in Archdaily about the application of universal design principles to create spaces that work for everyone. She discusses how to apply them to all projects – integrated and intrinsic features.

Tovar takes each of the seven classic principles of universal design and discusses them in detail. The article has lots of photos, some of which might pose some questions for dedicated followers of universal design. Nevertheless it is good to have such articles in mainstream professional magazines.

The title of the article is, How Do the 7 Principles of Universal Design Help Us Create Better Architecture?

From the summary

“While each of the principles of universal design is compelling and necessary in its own right, the real challenge for architects is to integrate them seamlessly and simultaneously into the overall design. The maxim that “the best accessibility is the one that goes unnoticed” resonates strongly in this context. Furthermore, since good architecture embodies inclusivity, it is crucial to acknowledge that accessibility is essential to this inclusiveness. If we aspire to create a society and built environment that are universally welcoming and inclusive, why not recognize that designing for everyone is a fundamental aspect of architecture?”

Inclusive: does that include disability?

Grant Maynard says that using the word ‘inclusive’ is leaving out people with disability. Racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia and transphobia are taking the spotlight. Events that celebrate the International Day of People with Disability cater specifically for people with disability. So is this a good thing on just one day of the year?

In the week of International Day of People with Disability, “I can rock up to any advertised event confidently, knowing it will be accessible and affordable.”

Banner for the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Start times, access information, wheelchair accessibility and bathroom availability will be clearly set out. Maynard says, “then, like magic, the conversations and accessibility stop.” He calls it pinkwashing for people with disabilities.

It’s a tokenistic gesture that doesn’t translate to long-term positive outcomes. One day does not make a difference in and of itself.

Maynard’s thoughts are published in QNews and the title is, “All-inclusive” has become pinkwashing for disabilities.

Opportunity in neurodiverse design

When the term ‘neurodiversity’ entered our language it gave us a new world view and perspective on humanity and diversity. It challenges the notion that there is such as thing as a ‘standard’ brain. Design disciplines have seen opportunity in sustainable design. Now there is opportunity in neurodiverse design.

Workplaces should design for brains not just for bodies. But what does that look like? Big companies like Deloitte and EY are re-shaping their workplaces. Image of EY Perth office.

Perth EY office depicting opportunity for neurodiverse design.

Neurodiverse design in architecture

An article in The Fifth Estate by Catherine Carter takes up the topic of neurodiversity and architecture. Current estimates are that around 15-20 percent of the global population is neurodivergent. This means their brains process information differently from the ‘typical’ population. Consequently, they may perceive and interact differently with their surroundings.

Carter says the best designs won’t be where differences coexist, but where they are celebrated. They will include spaces that avoid harsh lighting, distracting noise and visual clutter. Flexible layout with distinct zones and quiet areas, and collaborative spaces to suit tasks and moods are also helpful. Natural elements such as plants and organic materials help reduce cognitive load.

One of the big consulting firms, EY has established 23 Neurodiverse Centers of Excellence where tech people work on complex projects. EY is also redesigning their offices with soundproof spaces, enhanced lighting and signage.

Deloitte claims to have found five key drivers that neurodivergent thinkers bring to problem solving. Cognitive diversity can drive new ideas and counter groupthink. Neurodivergent people often have intense focus to push through setbacks and overcome problems.

Building for brains not bodies

Designing for neurodivergent employees means that everyone benefits. Who doesn’t like a comfortable office with plants and soundproofing? As an AI-powered future looms, workplaces are shapeshifting again. Places need to nurture minds of employees, not just their bodies. People have more flexibility today in how and where they work. Let’s design for that and for the diversity of the population.

The title of the article is, When great minds don’t think alike: designing for neurodiversity. There are links to the work of EY and Deloitte.

Neurodiversity and built environments: A guide

A woman's face in multicolours wearing sunglasses. representing neurodiversity in building design.A significant number of people find certain aspects of the built environment uncomfortable, distressing or a barrier due to neurological differences. To address this, the British Standards Institute has a guide for designing built environments to include people who are neurodivergent. The whole population is neurodiverse, individuals might be neurotypical or neurodivergent. 

The guide covers external spaces for public and commercial use as well as residential accommodation for independent living. It is one of the few documents that explains neurodiversity in a way that designers can understand.

Neurodiverse and neurotypical

The term ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodiverse’ are clarified in the introduction. Neurodiversity is about us all – it is not one condition. It is about the way each of thinks, speaks, moves and communicates. It is better explained as “sensory and/or information processing difference” and this is the term frequently used in the guide. 

Different terms are used to describe different neurological profiles: 

1. Neurotypical: someone fitting a majority neurological profile and is not neurodivergent.
2. Neurodivergent: someone who sits outside majority neurological profile commonly associated with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and Tourette’s syndrome. 
3. Neurodegenerative: A condition whereby sensory processing differences develop over time such as Parkinson’s.

The guide deals with:

    • Lighting
    • Acoustics
    • Décor
    • Flooring
    • Layout
    • Wayfinding
  • Familiarity
  • Clarity
  • Safety
  • Thermal comfort
  • Odour

Neurodiversity and the built environment guide front cover.Design for the Mind

The title of the guide is, PAS 6463:2022 Design for the mind. Neurodiversity and the built environment. Guide. The link will take you to the introductory web page where you can request a free digital copy for download. Note that you will need an additional app to open the document and to sign in as a user. It’s worth the effort.

The guide is just that. It is not a specification or code of practice and it is assumed that it will be used by qualified people. The guide does not cover special education environments, dementia or complex care settings or detailed guidance on sensory room design.

 

Lifemark’s new website launched

Lifemark promotes universal design in housing in New Zealand. Lifemark’s new website has a fresh look but stays true to it’s core value of inclusion. Similarly to other countries, New Zealand faces strong resistance by the housing industry. However, Lifemark is making inroads slowly, but surely.

The core element of Lifemark® is their standards based on universal design principles. As they say, “Universal design is essential for many, necessary for others, and comfortable for all”. Image from iStock in Lifemark Standards

A woman, a man and a small child in a powered wheelchair sit at a dining table doing a jigsaw puzzle together. It looks like a new home.

The ABC of universal design

Lifemark’s new website continues the theme of the ABC of universal design which is, Access, Bathroom and Circulation.

Access: at least one level entry, step-free pathway and entrance.

Bathroom: well positioned toilet on the entry level with reinforced walls for later grab rails.

Circulation: spaces are easy to move between with wider doorways and hallways.

A man in a black T shirt stands at the end of the white kitchen bench. Two children are about to eat from a bowl. A woman in a white T shirt looks on. They are all smiling.

Lifemark® Design Standards

The standards are based on five key principles: Usability, Adaptability, Accessibility, Safety, and Lifetime value. There are three levels to the standard based on a star rating similar to that of Livable Housing Design Guidelines.

The three star level is based on visitable requirements and improved comfort similar to Livable Housing Silver level. The four star level offers a higher level of comfort and is suitable for ageing in place – Livable Housing Gold level. It also supports people with reduced mobility. The five star rating is specifically for wheelchair users and others with higher support needs – Livable Housing Platinum level.

Individuals can access Lifemark’s Design for Life brochure on the website by providing an email address.

Lifemark’s Case Studies

Case studies on the website cover three scenarios. The first is an example of using incentives to include universal design at the planning stage. The second is incorporating universal design into a master housing plan. The third is a case study on a retirement village development. The video below gives an occupant perspective. (Note the automatic captioning does not account for a New Zealand accent.)

Lifemark was New Zealand’s equivalent to Livable Housing Australia until they went in different directions. Livable Housing Australia discontinued its work in 2015, but the website with guidelines remained active until 2023. This was when the Livable Housing Design Standard was mandated in the National Construction Code. Lifemark merged with CCS Disability Action and continues promote universal design in housing.

One thing they shared in common was the absolute resistance for change from the housing industry lobby.

Livable Housing Australia

The Australian Building Codes Board adopted most of the Livable Housing Design Silver level in the National Construction Code in 2022. It is known as the Livable Housing Design Standard. Queensland was the first jurisdiction to adopt the Standard followed by ACT and Victoria. Other jurisdictions have either watered down the elements, or in the case of NSW and Western Australia they have refused to adopt the Standard.

The power of the housing industry lobby, not to be confused with ordinary developers and builders, over the political process is obvious. This was pointed out in a recent study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

The story of getting the Australian Building Codes Board to incorporate universal design into housing into the National Construction code is told by Ward and Bringolf. This paper is from the proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Universal Design.