Australia's ageing population is increasing the need for access-friendly housing. As the baby-boomer generation reaches retirement age and beyond, their homes will need to adapt to meet their changing needs.
Almost twenty percent of Australians have a long-term disability. These people and their families also need housing designed to support their needs and to enhance their lifestyle.
There is a move towards accessible designs that make a house into a home for life. Architects, designers, builders and developers are taking their cue from this shift. By blending aesthetics, accessibility and the foresight to allow for future circumstances, a home will be right regardless of the occupant's age or ability.
Accessibility in the built environment refers to homes and commercial and institutional buildings that are designed and built with these considerations in mind.
Accessible design complies with certain rules that are intended to ensure that the design is accessible for most people irrespective of ability. Several Australian Standards apply to the design of accessways, ramps, lifts, carparking, signage, sanitary facilities and other parts of buildings. If a building is designed to comply with these standards, it is expected that 80% to 90% of people will be able to use the building.
