What do government representatives think is the best way to supply homes suitable for people with disability? Mandating accessible features in all new mainstream housing is the way to go. That means both owners and renters would benefit. Plus accessible housing would suit ageing in place and not be detrimental to the rest of the population.
This 2017 research is one of many studies that found that universally designed homes is good for everyone. While government representatives support the evidence, politicians might have other ideas. The 2022 National Construction Code incorporated basic access standards for all new builds. However, states have either been against the features entirely, delayed adoption, or watered them down when adopting them.
This research was specific to Australia’s National Disability Strategy, but the findings on housing design share similar responses found in other research. There is little benefit in segregated “disability housing”, but much to gain from housing that also suits people with disability.
The title of the article is, Government perspectives on housing, technology and support design within Australia’s National Disability Strategy. It is also available on ResearchGate or the Wiley online library.
There is much more to this study which includes inclusive communities, integrated technology and transportation.
From the abstract
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a significant disability reform and part of a 10‐year National Disability Strategy. The new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) framework, aims to deliver housing responses that positively influence NDIS participant outcomes.
This study gathered perspectives of government disability and housing representatives about opportunities for Australians with disability. Four research questions related to to built design; integrated technologies; the relationship between housing and support provision; and community precinct design.
Nineteen government representatives from seven of the eight Australian jurisdictions participated in a focus group in Melbourne, in March 2017. Twelve themes were identified in response to the research questions. Key policy and practice implications were highlighted.
This research offers insights from government that can contribute to strategic housing, technology, support and community design decisions.
2022 Update: The 2022 NCC Livable Housing Design Standard is freely available.
Home Coming? Yes it’s possible
This article was written when the Australian Building Codes Board called for responses to their Options Paper on Accessible Housing in 2017. Using facts and figures, she challenges the many false assumptions that the industry and others hold about the need for universal design in housing. She also covers assumptions about costs. So yes, it’s possible.
The title of Penny’s paper presented at the recent UD Conference in Ireland is, Home Coming? A Story of Reassurance, Opportunity and Hope for Universally Designed Housing in Australia.
From the abstract
Housing is complex yet it is the lynch-pin for achieving economic, social and human rights imperatives. In October 2017, a regulatory impact assessment was commissioned to consider Livable Housing Australia’s Silver and Gold standards, for inclusion in the National Construction Code.
A substantial research project provided a knowledge and evidence base of the policy perspective; an expanded statistical context; and detailed analyses of Silver, Gold and Platinum design levels.
The policy perspective included greater economic focus. The effect on productivity, directly attributable to housing, is significant. If acceptable standards of housing could solve or mitigate 34 policy ‘problems’.
It is reassuring that universal design has permeated all levels of government policy. Detailed analyses challenged many common assumptions and re-framed accessible housing into a mainstream problem.
Opportunities for universally design-led mainstream solutions are evident. Some design features might cost more. Others can be designed out, or are cost neutral.
As there is a minimal gap between universal design standards and current housing, there is hope that all Australians will, one day, live in a universally designed home.
The the paper is one of many from the UDHEIT 2018 conference held in Dublin, Ireland. The conference proceedings are open access.