Wednesday 29 th November 2006 Universal Design Workshop Group C Physical Access

PHYSICAL ACCESS “You want us to spend that much just for one student!” The DDA has been in force since 1992 yet physical access remains a critical issue for education and training providers. Join this Workshop to discuss: commonsense auditing of physical learning environments commonsense auditing of physical learning environments applying universal design principles to prevent the problem applying universal design principles to prevent the problem cost effective retrofitting – using lateral thinking to minimize costs and maximize outcomes cost effective retrofitting – using lateral thinking to minimize costs and maximize outcomes engaging the decision makers to improve facilities planning engaging the decision makers to improve facilities planning

“Physical Access and Way Finding at UWA: a practical expression of Universal Design” Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen

Physical Access and Way Finding at UWA: a practical expression of Universal Design Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office

Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Definition of Universal Design Enduring design approach, covers the broad range of human ability Starts at the very beginning of the design process Increase useability of a product without increasing its cost Greater than strict adherence to access standards –is measured by usability, not rated against a standard The Universal Design Education Online Web Site : © (Center for Universal Design, N.C. State University; IDEA Center, University at Buffalo; Global Universal Design Educator's Network)

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen st Disability Officer employed at UWA 1992Disability Discrimination Act ( Commonwealth) 1993Disability Services Act ( WA) Growth and development of the Disability Office as staff continued to champion equitable access to teaching and learning as well as to the built environment Clear lines of communication not yet established with the Facilities Management Office

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen 1997 UWA Access Audit, first attempt to highlight obstacles over the entire campus Minor Works Funding OFM Disability Account 2000 Request from the Disability and Safety and Health Offices to attend Planning and Design meetings

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen 2001 Attend Planning and Design Meetings The fundamental principles of the DDA and of Universal Design aim to promote equity, dignity and independence. Strict adherence to the regulations during the design phase, does not always correspond with alignment to these principles Way Finding at UWA 2004 Physical Access and Way Finding start to take shape Senior Management formed a Steering Committee

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen 2005Physical Access and Way Finding at UWA A shaky start 2006PAWF Project Physical Access and Way Finding at UWA Revised plan – 2 phases to proceed simultaneously Major access route concept articulated Ongoing for the life of UWA

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Are we there yet?

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen You said a ramp didn’t you?

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Positives Online Obstacle Report Representation on Project Coordination Meetings Meetings with the Landscape Architect Ongoing consultation

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Positives Disability Access and Inclusion Action Plan “ In addition, implementation of the Plan will enable the University to take clear steps toward furthering its commitments to continuous improvement, universal design and the philosophy of ‘mainstreaming’.”

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Working against us Perception that access issues only applied to an extremely small percentage of users Perception that good design is more expensive Access ‘add ons’ instead of Universal Design Inadequately informed customers Communication ‘black holes’

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Working for us: Curiosity Vigilance, observation Remaining ‘in the loop’ Maintaining a high profile Knowledge of Physical Access Inclusiveness

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen Working for us: Networking Direct action Knowledge of university budgetary processes Assertiveness Tenacity Commitment

UniAccess: UWA’s Disability Office Barbara Levit & Deborah Allen The future: More questioning More agitating PAWF Project Manual for Faculty Administrators Ensuring that the DAIAP implementation embraces ‘Universal Design’