About Access Consultancy

Physical Access Audits

Physical access audits identify access barriers for people with disabilities throughout existing facilities and provide recommendations and implementation strategies to rectify the identified barriers.

Access audits are an important part of:

  • Due diligence reports
  • Risk management
  • Legislative compliance
  • DDA Action Plans

The development of aesthetic compliant accessible facilities incorporating the Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards and the DDA.

Blythe-Sanderson Group’s audit reports include a commentary highlighting non-compliances of existing facilities, a priority of works and specific recommendations along with photos highlighting specific access considerations. Specialist comments can be provided in respect to the likelihood of attracting a DDA complaint.

Blythe-Sanderson Groups’s approach to DDA Action Plans is to follow the “best practice and quality assurance models” often already in place within organisations, to create complimentary disability management policies, guidelines, practices and access provision.

A DDA Action Plan is a document intended to promote the removal of any discrimination that may exist within an organisation, and may be lodged with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) as a positive statement of compliance. An Action Plan can assist in the defense of discrimination complaints given appropriate and flexible timelines in improving services and facilities for people with disabilities.

DDA Action Plan components include: -

  • Review of policy and procedures in regards to discriminative practice
  • Adopt non-discriminative policies and procedures
  • Develop timelines for implementation
  • Communication of these policies [throughout company]
  • Access audits, staff training and policies to be addressed
  • Lodgment with Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission

Facility Design Review

Blythe-Sanderson Group assist property owners, projects planners, architects, builders, building surveyors and engineers on the practical and cost effective application of the DDA and Australian Standards to new building and facility design, building fit-outs and refurbishments.

Services include:

  • Development of Design Briefs which encapsulates all relevant requirements for access for people with disabilities
  • Stakeholder presentation and consultations during the planning stages to establish and determine needs and requirements of clients and users
  • Reviews of proposed building designs (new or refurbishments) which may include Schematic Design, Design Development Documentation, Contract Documentation and Contract Administration reviews
  • Provision of recommendations and access solutions
  • Incorporation of the Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards and the DDA into aesthetic compliant accessible facilities
  • Assistance with tender briefs
  • Site inspections during the construction process to assist with the implementation of accessible facilities