Media Contact: Ben Ruse
0407 030 808
Media Release
BILL SHORTEN MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services
Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
STATES URGED TO FOLLOW VICTORIA’S LEAD ON
ACCESSIBLE HOMES
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten has praised the Victorian
Government’s new proposed building regulations for more accessible homes.
“This issue has gone unaddressed by State Governments for too long, and Victoria is
to be congratulated for showing leadership on this issue. Their efforts complement
the work the Federal Government is doing through the National Dialogue on
Universal Design,” Mr Shorten said.
“I would urge the other states to follow their lead and work to improve the
accessibility of all new homes.”
“Too many of Australia’s homes are not suitable for people with disability, and are
difficult to adapt to the needs of our ageing population.”
“Basic principles of Universal Design can ensure that a home remains suitable for
people as they age, without the expense of a major adaptation.”
“This is essential if we are to build houses which cater for people with disability as
well as for our ageing population.”
Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden today released a Regulatory Impact
Statement (RIS) for comment to look at making low-cost accessibility features
compulsory in new Victorian homes to achieve smarter design, accessibility and
affordability.
Low-cost features to be assessed under the Regulatory Impact Statement include:
•
A clear path from the street (or car set-down/park) to a level entry;
•
Wider doorways and halls;
•
A toilet suitable for people with limited mobility on entry level; and
•
Reinforced bathroom walls so grab rails can be fitted inexpensively if they are
needed in the future.
“The RIS states that 96 per cent of new homes do not have basic adaptability
features such as wider doorways, accessible toilets and adaptable bathrooms,” Mr
Shorten said.
“It also says that the vast majority of new homes being built in Victoria are
inaccessible and costly to adapt for people with disability or limited mobility.”
“This is not an acceptable situation and it leaves people with disability, who already
face extra expenses, with a limited choice of housing and restricted opportunities for
social participation.”
Media Contact: Ben Ruse
0407 030 808
“The RIS also makes it clear that the long-term benefits of accessible design
outweigh the costs.”
“Governments and the building industry need to work together to make accessible
design more available, and to educate consumers about its benefits.”
“I recently convened a National Dialogue on Universal Design, involving
representatives from the disability sector and the building industry.”
“While this is still in its early stages, major building industry groups have shown a
positive attitude towards making buildings more accessible and have agreed to the
aspirational goal of having all new homes built to a Universal Design standard by
2020.
NEWS 
