An Accessible Housing forum held in Sydney last month was an important step in improving access to buildings for people with disabilities.

The forum agreed there was a need to develop a national strategy, including a research program on housing accessibility.

Chair of the Australian Building Codes Board, Mr Peter Laver, said the forum was the Board’s first step in developing an understanding of the strategies required to improve accessibility in the housing sector.

Representatives from the disability and aged care sectors, government and the construction industry attended the forum, which established a dialogue amongst stakeholders.

Mr Laver said the Board has been working on measures to improve access to public buildings throughout Australia for people with disabilities since 2001, at the request of the Commonwealth Government and with the support of the various State and Territory governments.

“Through this project, the Board has become aware of increasing community interest in concepts such as accessible, adaptable, universal and visitable housing,” Mr Laver said. 

Ms Margaret Ward, Chair of the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design, congratulated the Australian Building Codes Board on their foresight and leadership on this issue.

“The notion of accessible housing has come of age. The way forward is a collaborative approach where the needs of all stakeholders are satisfied,” she said.

For further information: Deborah Fleming, ABCB Office on 02-6213-6346, fax 02-6213 7287 or E-mail Deborah.Fleming@abcb.gov.au

Ms Margaret Ward can be contacted on 0409 898498.

ABCB Office, Canberra

Source: The Australian Building Codes Board - What's New