What is a Desk top Access report

A Desk top Access report is where we look at the proposed plans for a project as opposed to an audit of a built premises  which  requires a site inspection. We assess the proposed design for usability and accessibility. We then incorporate improved levels of usability and accessibility for people with disability that may have been overlooked in the initial design stage and thereby reduce the risk to the client of complaint under the Discrimination Laws at both state and Federal Laws. 

How does a Desk top Access report Work?

Firstly contact us at Contact.Australia@Obviusaccess.com  or phone on  1800952311 we are happy to help with your enquiry.
Once initial contact has been made we ask you if possible to forward basic relevant details of the project in question i.e. Plans, Photographs, Drawings, and Council Documentation etc. In this way we can save you the cost of a site meeting prior to the Desk top Access report .

We will then send you our fee proposal, once we have agreed a fee and time scale for completion of the Access report, we can begin We will assess the project plans and recommend changes where needed to comply with the AS1428 suit of Standards 

What Elements does a Desk top Access report Cover?

The scope of the Desk top Access report can be tailored to meet the individual requirements of the client. In general our Access Audit will cover all Elements of the Building and Environment assessing and highlighting any potential barriers that may exclude a person with disability from equitable and dignified access. Typically an Access report would cover

Eternal approach and carparking 

• Entrances 
• Corridors and horizontal circulation 
• Ramps 
• Lifts, stairs and vertical circulation 
• Toilet facilities 
• Internal doors 
• Floor and lighting 
• Control and switches 
• Signage and wayfinding 
• Tactile ground service indicators 
• Internal surface finishes 
• Kitchen area 
• Emergency means of escape 

There may be many more specific planned Elements e.g. Swimming Pools, Children’s Service Areas and Playgrounds which can be added as part of our comprehensive Service.

What are the benefits to me of having an
​Access report?

By having an Obvius Access Desk top report and then implementing its recommendations you will be able to demonstrate that you have met Council regulations and meet your moral and legal responsibilities under Federal discrimination law (DDA), which in turn will give you protection from a successful compliant or action brought against you  by a person with a Disability. A far more important consequence of removing Access barriers to your premises will be ease of access and inclusion for many people, young and old who wish to use the environment and services you provide

What is the DDA? How does it affect me? How is it enforced?

The Australian Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is a Federal Discrimination Law which came into effect in March 1993. The DDA prohibits unfair and unfavourable treatment against people with a Disability or their associates in a range of areas including education, employment, transport, accommodation, premises and footpaths used by the public. The DDA requires employers, education providers and service providers to make appropriate, reasonable Access adjustments to avoid discrimination. A compliant can be made to the Australian Human Rights Commission (Commission) under the DDA if appropriate access is not provided 
When the Commission receives a complaint about something that is covered by the DDA, the President of the Commission can investigate the complaint and try to resolve it by conciliation. The Commission is not a court and cannot determine that discrimination has happened. The Commission’s role is to get both sides of the story and help those involved resolve the complaint. If the complaint is not resolved or is discontinued for another reason, the compliant can then be taken to the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Magistrates Court. 

How is the Access report presented?

The finished Obvius Access report  will provide comments on Access barriers which may prevent ease of use for a wide range of potential users, including people with disabilities, older people and parents with young children. We comply a practical list of recommendations for improvements which highlight potential risk. The recommendations are prioritized 1, and 2 in order of importance and cross referenced against Disability Access codes, standards, and legislation such as The Building Code of Australia/National Construction Code, The Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards 2010, and The Disability Discrimination Act, The suite of AS1428 and all pertaining standards and other relevant guidance. The Desk top Access report is structured in a user friendly accessible format which includes Appendix 'A' which provides illustrations to assist in highlighting some access issues identified and to support interpretation and recommendations for action 
​Obvius Access Audits reports are presented by e-mail in PDF format.
Contact us at  Contact.Australia@Obviusaccess.com 
or phone 1800 952 311, we can then assist you with your enquiry.