Towards Barrier Free Housing for an Ageing Australia: Accessible, Adaptable and Universal Design An Issues Paper and

Resource Guide July 2005

The Purpose of this Paper This paper is the second in ACSAs housing focus series and explores the issues of accessible and adaptable housing, and universal design. Increasingly, aged and community care is provided to older people and people with disabilities in their own homes, including privately owned and rented houses, serviced apartments and retirement villages. As growing numbers of older people and people with a disability choose to remain living in their own homes and communities, and as the ways in which support is provided to people changes, the importance of accessible, adaptable and universal design will only become more apparent. These concepts will be expanded upon in this paper, along with the many benefits of a built environment that is adaptable, accessible or universal in its design. The paper also acknowledges that the provision of accessible and adaptable housing is not solely about the delivery of care services to older people and people with a disability. Adaptable, accessible or universally designed housing also enables those who live in the home as well as visitors to simply function or get about. The purpose of this paper is to assist aged care service providers to make informed choices about design issues. It should also encourage further discussion and debate within the aged care industry about adaptable, accessible and universal design. A resource section listing useful websites and relevant organisations, and a bibliography for further reading are also included. ACSA is supportive of accessible, adaptable and universal design principles and is seeking to encourage providers of services to older people to explore and be informed of the issues involved. If you have any comments please contact: Contact: Email: Phone: Fax: Fleur Thomson fthomson@agedcare.org.au 03 9686 3460 03 9686 3453

Aged & Community Services Australia Level One, 36 Albert Road South Melbourne VIC 3205

Introduction Housing for older people and people with disabilities in context: In the last decade, there has been increasing awareness of the ageing of Australias population as well as the growth (in terms of numbers) of older people. The number of people in Australia with a disability has also risen from approximately 1 million in 19981 to over 3.3 million in 20032. It is expected that as the population ages, the number of people with a disability will further increase. The gradual de-institutionalisation of care and support for people with a disability means that more people with a disability are ageing in the community. This is a trend in many other parts of the world as well, mainly in developed countries. Increasingly, aged and community care services are being provided to people in their own homes. In line with this there is a growing need to provide appropriate housing options for older people, as well as people with disabilities and their carers. Historical factors: Since the 1970s, both State and Federal Governments have been changing the way that care and support is provided to people who need it. The movement away from large-scale institutions that provide accommodation to people with a disability can be viewed in several contexts including, but not limited to, the recognition of fundamental human rights, advances in medical knowledge, sociological and psychological models and advances in technology.3 De-institutionalisation has brought about dramatic changes in the way that people can live their lives. There has also been a shifting emphasis in aged care from residential services to home and community services. The policy of ageing in place which evolved in the 1980s, has been a key driver in this shift. Very simply, the combined policies of de-institutionalisation and ageing in place mean that proportionally fewer older people and people with disabilities live their lives in congregate settings catering to their care needs. Approximately 6% of people aged 65 and over live in residential care, though the proportion rises with age with around 26% of people 85 and over living in residential care settings. 4 The majority of older people and people with disabilities live in their own homes, or group housing and accommodation that is very different to the institutions of the past. As a consequence of this shift, older people and people with disabilities need to be enabled to access their homes and communities, with the same ease as everyone else. The provision of an accessible environment is crucial to support older people and people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities and participate in, and contribute to, society to the extent they wish.
1 2

Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 1998, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1998 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2003. This figure includes people with specific limitations or restrictions. 3 See Accessible/Adaptable Housing National Network (AHNN), Discussion Paper, Towards an Access Standard for Housing within the Building Code of Australia, written by Andrew Vikstrom, March 2003. Available at www.pwd.org.au/ahnn. 4 Professor Warren Hogan, Review of Pricing Arrangements in Residential Aged Care: The Context of the Review Background Paper No.1, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, 2003, 9. 3

Universal and accessible design factors are not any less important in residential care settings, where the goal of creating environments that maximise independence is still very pertinent. The Built Environment - Definitions The terms adaptable housing, accessible housing and universal design are used commonly, and sometimes interchangeably. A number of commentators have stated that there is a need to define them more clearly, or at least, clarify the language around them, 5 though there does appear to be some consensus about what these terms describe. At the broadest level, they can be said to identify work that is done towards the elimination of disabling barriers and the creation of enabling environments6; a built environment that can be accessed by all. The actual technical and physical features as well as examples of these forms of design are outlined later in this paper. Accessible Housing As the term suggests, accessible housing describes the ease of access to a house. Housing that is accessible ensures the ability of its users to engage in the various activities they are capable of carrying out, without being hindered by obstacles or barriers. Whilst the right to accessible housing has been pursued by groups representing people with disabilities, there has been comparatively limited work done to ensure accessibility for older people. Adaptable housing An adaptable house can be adapted to suit the changing needs of the people who live there. Housing is adapted to make it accessible for people, whatever their situation. This means that housing is accessible for people as they grow older, and/or if their mobility is impaired in any way. In this sense, adaptable housing can be seen as a precursor to accessible housing. As the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has stated, adaptable housing refers to housing which while not fully accessible when first constructed is designed to be readily adapted to provide access when and if a resident requires it - for example, when they get older.7 For instance, walls may be strengthened or reinforced (in the bathroom for example) so that grab rails can be installed at a later date. Principles of Adaptable Housing under Australian Standards are outlined later in this paper. Universal design At the broadest level, universal design describes that which is applicable or common to all purposes, conditions and situation.8 It is important to note that this form of design is not only applied to housing but to products and environments as well. It is centred around all people in that it does not discriminate against people living in or visiting the home.9 Universal design attempts to simplify life for everyone by

See for example, AHNN Discussion Paper above, n 3; Building Commission of Victoria Welcome: Design Ideas for Accessible Homes, 2002, 3. 6 Simon Darcy, Sketching the Terrain of Adaptable and Accessible Housing, paper presented at ACT Adaptable and Accessible Housing Conference, 1999, 9. Available at: www.act.gov.au/urbanservices/docs/sketching.doc 7 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) at www.hreoc.org.au. 8 Universal Design: Housing for the Lifespan for all People, The Center for Universal Design, an initiative of the College of Design, NC State University 1997, available at http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/. 9 AHNN Discussion Paper, above, n 3, 13. 4

making more housing usable by more people at little or no extra cost. It incorporates products and building features that - to the greatest extent possible - can be used by everyone. As advocates for universal design have put it, while accessible or adaptable design requirements are specified by codes or standards for only some buildings and are aimed at benefiting only some people (those with mobility limitations), the universal design concept targets all people of all ages, sizes and abilities and is applied to all buildings.10 The features of universal design that are generally accepted are: 1. Equitable Use; the design must be useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. 2. Flexible in Use; it must accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. 3. Simple and intuitive use; it must be easy to understand, regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level. 4. Perceptible Information; it must communicate the necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the users sensory abilities. 5. Tolerance for error; the design must minimise hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintentional actions. 6. Low Physical Effort; the design must be used efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue. 7. Size and Space for approach and use; appropriate size and space must be provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use, regardless of users body size, posture or mobility. Other Terms There are a number of other terms in use that are relevant to the discussion of the built environment. These are:

Visitable housing and visitability. This signifies the extent to which housing is able to be visited by anyone, whatever their ability. Lifetime homes or lifetime habitats. These terms describe accommodation that can be lived in throughout a persons lifespan. Lifetime habitats are built with the changing needs of a person in mind and require limited adaptation. The term Lifetime Housing is most commonly employed in the United Kingdom and describes homes that incorporate the sixteen Lifetime Homes criteria or standards. This is discussed further under International Arrangements. Universal access. This term characterises an environment that is able to be accessed by anyone, whatever their ability.

The terms discussed above do describe different things, however each works on the same premise that peoples needs and abilities change throughout life and therefore it is both more desirable and cheaper to provide housing which is initially more accessible for everyone and which can be adapted at a future date to suit particular needs.11
10 11

Above, n 7. Angela Roennfeldt (KLCK Architects), Design That Adapts To People Some International Experiences, 2. Available at http://www.anuhd.org/resources.html.

Why adaptable, accessible and universal design? The extent to which an environment is accessible affects a wide range of people. As one commentator has pointed out, as well as impacting on people who are in wheelchairs, it also affects everyone who has mobility problems, vision impairment, hearing impairment or those who have a temporary disability such as a broken leg or arm, parents with strollers, people with shopping trolleys, delivery people; in all, everyone.12 Accessible and adaptable design is therefore not only desirable for people with a disability and frail older people, but for the whole community. Rights: The need for environments that are designed as adaptable, accessible or universal can be argued from the civil rights position of equality for all. Lobbying for adaptable and accessible housing has been taken up most notably by groups primarily representing people with disabilities. It is argued that the first requirement of disabled people (sic) in participating as equal citizens within the community is a home that is suited to them, together with control over the necessary help they require to live independently. 13 This position stems from international law that recognises everyones right to access the built environment.14 Well-being It has been suggested that as buildings and architectural spaces can impact upon behaviour (for example, in restricting access), the employment of universal design can perhaps reduce conflict and stress, and increase quality of life, particularly in a housing scenario involving extended families. Universal design can influence crowding, personal independence, territorial issues, personal and private space, and will enable occupants to behave independently and increase safety and ease of use. 15 Increasing safety and wellbeing is an integral component of universally designed environments and may assist in reducing accidents that are more common for older people, such as falls. Costs Retro-fitting a home can be expensive and inconvenient. Yet despite this, homes are regularly retrofitted to accommodate frail older people and people with a disability. The adoption of adaptable housing features at the time of construction can significantly reduce the cost of making a home accessible, years later. Some recent studies into the costbenefits of adaptable and accessible design help to dispel the myth that it increases costs: A report prepared by urban economists in response a study brief by the NSW Department of Urban Affairs and Planning demonstrates that the cost of adaptable housing is minimal if the features are designed in from the beginning. Indeed, the cost benefit to an individual purchasing a new dwelling and paying for this additional cost thirty years later is positive for all dwelling types with the exception of low rise residential flat buildings without lift.16
12 13

Above n 3, 7. John Swain, Vic Finkelstein, Sally French, and Mike Oliver, (eds), Disabling Barriers, Enabling Environments, SAGE Publications, 1993, 5. 14 UNESCO, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 15 K.J. Parker, Multigenerational Living: Design for Ageing, in Ageing International: Journal of the International Federation on Ageing, Spring 2000, Vol XXV (4), 99. 16 Martin Hill Breaking into Adaptable Housing: Cost benefit analysis of adaptable homes, Paper presented at the 1999 ACT Adaptable and Accessible Housing Conference, 5. Available at http://www.adaptablehousing.org/. 6

The same paper also looks at the cost benefit to government and has found that there are considerable savings including a reduction in the cost of health care, decline in home care costs for older people at home. Significantly, it also found that adaptable or accessible housing reduces the number of falls and the need to move into residential care.17 A cost analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation quantifying the cost of Lifetime Homes found that the cost difference for including the sixteen Lifetime Homes criteria or standards was an increase of only 69 pounds on a 2 bedroom, four-person house that currently converts in Australian dollars to approximately $169.60.18

International Arrangements Legislative provisions for accessible or adaptable housing/design have been in operation in various European countries and some United States of America States for a number of years. The United Kingdom was the most recent nation to introduce accessible housing provisions. United Kingdom: The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is a social policy research and development charity in the UK. It became involved with a housing project in the 1980s out of a concern about the quality of British housing and in particular how inaccessible and inconvenient many houses were for large segments of the population. The Lifetime Homes concept was developed by a group of housing experts who came together as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Lifetime Homes Group. Lifetime Homes have sixteen design features that ensure a new dwelling will meet the needs of the most households: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Parking space with space for wheelchair. Convenient parking adjacent to, or minimum distance from the dwelling. Level or gently sloping approach. Illuminated entrances, level thresholds and covered main entrance. Easy-access communal stairs and wheelchair-accessible lifts. Internal doorways and hallways wide enough for wheelchair users. Turning space for wheelchairs in dining areas, sitting rooms and adequate circulation space elsewhere. 8. Living room at entrance/ground-level. 9. Space on the entrance level for a bed. 10. Wheelchair accessible entrance-level toilet capable of accommodating a shower at a later date. 11. Walls in bathrooms and toilets capable of taking adaptations. 12. Sufficient space for future stairlift and through-the-floor lift. 13. Sufficient space for future bedroom-to-bathroom hoist. 14. Bathroom with easy access bath, toilet and wash basin. 15. Low, easy-to-open window in living room. 16. Accessible switches, sockets, ventilation and service controls. The Foundation was also heavily involved in the push for accessibility provisions to be legislated in the UK. In the mid 1990s, the UK Government began to investigate the
17 18

Ibid, 6. Above n 10, 8-9. 7

extension of Part M of their building regulations (which provides for access to and use of buildings) from public buildings to cover houses as well. New regulations that provide for accessibility and Lifetime Homes features came into force in 1999. In addition, any organisations that build homes subsidised with Government funds are required to meet the Housing Corporations Scheme Development Standards similar to Lifetime Homes. The Netherlands: The Senior Citizen or Good Living Label is used in The Netherlands. To obtain the Label or Standard, requirements from a checklist which was originally developed to make housing suitable for older people must be met. Due to the concepts popularity with Hollands general public, the term Senior Citizen is now considered to be slightly inappropriate and will soon be changed to Good Living.19 Integral to the success of the concept was both the marketing of the scheme to housing developers and its operation under a certification system. If a new design incorporates a number of features, it can be certified as complying with the Good Living Label or Standard. United States of America: In the US, there are two Acts that regulate the built environment at a Federal level: The provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA), prohibit discrimination in access to places of public accommodation, services, programs, public transportation and telecommunications and employment. The ADA applies to housing that receives public funding and requires all new construction and modifications to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. With existing buildings, any barriers to services must be removed if this is readily achievable. The ADA does not apply to private housing. These regulations are not that dissimilar to provisions in Australia. The Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) of 1988 came into effect in 1989 and introduced a number of important rights in relation to housing for people with disabilities and families with children. In addition to ensuring that it is unlawful to refuse a person with a disability permission to make modifications to premises at their own expense, the Act establishes a number of design standards that are for newly constructed multi-family housing of four or more units. These can be summarised20 as: One no step entrance on an accessible route Public and common areas must be accessible Doors and hallways must be wide enough for people in wheelchairs An accessible route into and through each unit Reinforced bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars Accessible light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and environmental controls Kitchens and bathrooms that can be used by people in wheelchairs.

19 20

See above, n 10. Summarised in AHNN Discussion Paper, above n 3, 22. 8

The Australian Regulatory Environment In recent years, there has been growing awareness in Australia of adaptable, accessible and universal design. This is in part due to the increased recognition overseas. However there is still no legislative requirement in Australia to build housing that is accessible or adaptable. Without such regulation, it will be very difficult to encourage builders and developers to provide barrier free environments or to create a consumer demand for such environments. An Australian architect elaborating on her experience with adaptable housing has noted, it was apparent to me that Adaptable Housing had advanced most in countries that backed it with governmental support. These countries recognised the problem of an aging (sic) population in the next decades and had started to address the huge problem of inaccessible housing.21 Adaptable Housing: Standard on Adaptable Housing AS 4299 Despite there being no legal requirement for residential housing to be accessible, in 1995 Standards Australia developed a Standard on Adaptable Housing Australian Standard (AS) 4299. The Standard presents the objectives and principles of adaptable housing and is intended as a reference for designers and specifiers, and for members of the general public considering adaptable housing for their own particular needs. The Standard is not currently enforced for dwellings in general by any State or Territory governments. The principles of adaptable housing as outlined in AS 4299 include:

adaptable housing incorporates design features often lacking in current housing that are designed to benefit all owners/occupiers; it is possible at relatively little extra initial cost, and later modification to adaptable housing should be able to be effected at minimum inconvenience and minimum cost; it provides houses with features, dimensions and materials designed for safety and ease of use; it assists in maintaining community and family networks by allowing people with disabilities and older people to stay in their own homes, close to established support networks and familiar surroundings; it is suitable for people with any level of ability - the adaptable house, due to its adaptable features, should suit any future occupant with any type of disability.

Standard on Design for Access and Mobility AS 1428 While AS 4299 is not currently enforceable, AS 1428 (first published in 1977) details the standards that must be met for public buildings, as required under the Building Code of Australia. Although the Standard was developed to specify a design standard for people with disabilities to access public buildings it has also been drawn upon for housing standards, as it was the only available document. In addition, some of the research that was undertaken for the Standard only relates to people between the ages of 18 and 60. 22 For these reasons, AS 4299 was developed.

21 22

Above n 10, 2. See the Preface of Australian Standard: Adaptable Housing (AS 4299, 1995), Standards Australia. 9

Disability Discrimination Act: The Australian Government's Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) has been in effect since March 1993. The DDA prohibits discrimination against people with a disability or their associates in a range of areas including transport, education, employment, accommodation and premises to which the public is entitled to enter or use. Section 23 of the Act is relevant outlines access provisions, required under law. The DDA is complaints-based (as opposed to compliance-based) legislation. To date, the intent and objectives of the DDA have not been supported by detailed technical requirements, so there is no clear way to ensure that a building complies with the DDA. In 2002, the statutory body governing building in Australia the Australian Building Code Board (ABCB) was requested to consider Australian building standards (including AS 4299) and their relationship with the (DDA). This work was undertaken in the context of inconsistencies between the DDA and Commonwealth building standards. In March 2004, provisions supporting access requirements to commercial and public buildings were tabled for discussion for inclusion in the DDA. The result of the ABCBs work is the draft Disability Standard for Access to Premises (the draft Premises Standard). The new Standard attempts to reconcile current building regulations with the DDA to the extent of their inconsistencies. The new Standard remains under consideration by the Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Resources and Attorney-General. Local Government: In the past 18 months, there are a number of local government councils that have either introduced (or attempted to introduce) accessibility or adaptability requirements into their planning regime, or have attempted to. This action appears to have been confined to Victorian local governments. The City of Manningham introduced access provisions in October 2003, which were given Ministerial approval in February 2004. The provisions apply to both residential, public and commercial premises in an area called Doncaster Hill Activity Centre and require an access report to be submitted with planning applications. The report must show conformity with Australian Standard 1428 Part 2 which provides for an enhanced accessibility standard for 90% of people using wheelchairs and scooters. More recently, three other Victorian Local Councils put planning scheme amendments to Victorian Planning Minister Rob Hulls for approval. These were: City of Melbourne (C60 Part 1) Moonee Valley City Council (C50) Yarra City Council (C66 & C73) In June 2005, the Minister rejected the Councils amendments, advocating instead for a consistent standard across the State. Consultation on this issue is being undertaken by the Building Commission (Vic) and is expected to be complete in October 2005. However it is unclear if and when this will take place.

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Access in the Future: Until the Australian Government makes a decision on whether to include the draft Premises Standard to the Building Code of Australia, there is nothing requiring the building of residential dwellings to be accessible or adaptable. A decision is expected some time in 2005. Due to the lack of regulation, designing housing to accessible, adaptable or universal design standards is solely a decision for the owner of the building. In order for design standards to be more readily taken up in the community there is a need for greater awareness of the needs of older people and people with disabilities. Further, the benefits of accessible or universal design should be understood in the context of their benefits to the whole community, not just a specific group of people. In order for this to occur, the principles of accessible, adaptable and universal design need to be promoted to and by housing and building industry stakeholders, including builders, architects and real estate agents. In addition providers of aged, community and housing services to older people are in a good position to promote the merits of universal and other design features. Given the evidence from overseas about the benefits and the costs of adopting accessible, adaptable and universal design principles, aged and community care providers in the provision of accommodation and housing should seriously consider it from the outset of any new building or redevelopment. Conclusion: This paper has outlined some of the issues around the provision of accessible, adaptable and universally designed housing in order to inform and stimulate further discussion in the industry. ACSA supports the principles of such design and encourages providers to investigate the possibilities further.

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RESOURCES
National Organisations and Resources Adaptable Housing Australia - http://www.adaptablehousing.org This excellent Australian site is a must for anyone who wants to build or modify a home to an Adaptable level, and contains resources on adaptable housing, including publications and guides, events, a features checklist, support and news. The site also welcomes contributions. Australian Network for Universal Housing Design - http://www.anuhd.org/ The ANUHD (auspiced by People with Disability) is a network of people and organisations that support and call for accessible or universal design for housing. This website contains some excellent reference material including conference materials, journal articles, submissions etc. Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) http://www.abcb.gov.au Information about the Access Standard can be found under Documents, then Access. Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) www.hreoc.gov.au The HREOC site contains extensive information on access issues. Independent Living Centres (ILC) (See State-based Organisations and Resources for website details) ILCs are located in each Australian State and Territory (except NT) and display a comprehensive range of products and equipment to assist with day to day living. The Centres give people the opportunity to try out products and equipment and select those most suitable prior to purchase. The Centres only display the items and do not sell them rather details of suppliers are provided. Infoxchange http://www.infoxchange.net.au Infoxchange has a section dedicated to Housing and Homelessness. SMARTA Housing (Selling and Marketing of Accessible Real Estate to All) Information about smarta can be found at: http://www.spinalcordinjuries.com.au/services/access_consultancy/smarta SMARTA (Selling and Marketing of Accessible Real Estate to All) is an education program (through the Office of Fair Tradings Property Services Grants Program) that aims to provide Real Estate Agents and Property Managers with the knowledge and ability to determine the level of accessibility of a property for rent or purchase.

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International Organisations and Resources Joseph Rowntree Foundation http://www.jrf.org.uk/ A British based organisation that is renowned for its role in the research, development, supply and promotion of adaptable housing environments for communities. Institute on Independent Living http://www.independentliving.org This is a Swedish based website that contains resources for people with disabilities. Adaptive Environments: Human Centred Design http://www.adaptiveenvironments.org Adaptive Environments is a US on-profit organization committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages and abilities. Adaptive Environments' work balances expertise in legally required accessibility with promotion of best practices in human centred or universal design. Projects vary from local to international. All are characterised by collaboration and user participation. Center for Universal Design - http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/ Is a US national research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products. Trace Center - http://trace.wisc.edu/ The Trace Research & Development Center was founded in 1971 and is a part of the Engineering Faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Trace uses current and emerging information and telecommunication technologies in order to provide accessible environments for all.

State-based Organisations and Resources Australian Capital Territory Independent Living Centre Tel: 02 6205 1900 Web: http://www.health.act.gov.au/ilc New South Wales Independent Living Centre NSW Tel: 1300 885 886 or 02 9890 0940 Web: http://www.ilcnsw.asn.au Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) Web: www.pdcnsw.org.au

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Queensland

Independent Living Centre Queensland Tel: 07 3397 1224 or 1300 885 886 Web: http://www.ilcqld.org.au Commercial and Consumer Tribunal - http://www.tribunals.qld.gov.au/ Office of Fair Trading http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/oft/oftweb.nsf Department of Housing http://www.housing.qld.gov.au/ Local Government Association http://www.lgaq.asn.au/portal/dt Queensland Legislation http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/OQPChome.htm

South Australia

Independent Living Centre of South Australia Tel: 08 8266 5260 Web: http://www.ilc.asn.au

Shelter SA Web: www.sheltersa.asn.au Tasmania

Independent Living Centre Tasmania Tel: 03 6334 5899 or 1300 651 166 Web: http://www.ilctas.asn.au

Shelter Tasmania Web: http://sheltertas.org.au Victoria

Independent Living Centre Tel: 1300 885 886 or 03 9362 6111 Web: http://www.yooralla.com.au/ilc.php

Building Commission Victoria Accessibility webpage: http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/default.asp?casid=3550 Tel: 03 9285 6400 (Melbourne Office) The Building Commission has an office in Melbourne and regional offices in Sale, Ballarat and Wangaratta. Western Australia

Independent Living Centre of Western Australia Tel: 08 9381 0600 or 1300 885 886 Web: http://www.ilc.com.au

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