Session 2 of 12
How does vision-impairment affect the design of the built environment?
Course: TSA-TGSI-1.2 | Length: 5:09 mins | Instructor: Dean Homicki
Transcript
In this session, we're going to learn about:
How does vision-impairment affect the design of the built environment?
In Australia, The Disability Discrimination Act 1992, (Often referred to as the DDA) makes it: 'Against the law to discriminate against a person because of disability when providing facilities or access to public premises.'
How is the DDA applied and enforced?
The Australian Human Rights Commission has created a number of National legally-binding Standards to in act the DDA, where and when it applies. Some of these Federal standards include:
The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
The Disability (Access to Premises- Buildings) Standards 2010
These Federal Standards are applied through other Australian standards; in this case, the ones that apply to TGSIs.
The Australian Standards on TGSIs are then referenced in other National legally-binding Standards, in particular.
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 or
The Building Code of Australia
All of these standards set out technical requirements of new building or upgrading of premises to ensure people with disability can access and use buildings, as required by the DDA and NCC.
However, These Federal & State Regulations DO NOT explain…
the 'why-to-do-it',
the 'when-to-do-it'
or show the 'where-to-do-it',
of what must be done to achieve the 'Deemed-to-Satisfy' provisions of the NCC and the specific criteria's of the DDA family of Standards.
To apply and conform to these Mandatory Regulations, you must have the latest copy of the TGSI Standard:
AS/NZS 1428.4.1: Design for Access and Mobility: Means to assist the orientation of people with a vision-impairment - Tactile Ground Surface Indicators.
The most important aspect of these standards to understand who benefits from them.
Your understanding and empathy of these user groups will assist you in designing and provide inclusive and more accessible built environments prolonging the life of a premises and the materials used to construct it.
It is worth to make mention that the TGSI Standard is the practical application of:
'How and Where to do it.'
of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) for Australian and New Zealand.
And remember…
The consistent application of The TGSI Standards …will enhance a user's safety, dignity, and independence with access to the built environment.
Why is Consistency important?
When TGSIs are combined with other environmental information, the application of TGSI Standard will provide meaningful information for persons who are blind or vision-impaired with their orientation.
This is applicable to all persons with a…
Permanent,
Temporary,
Full or Partial Vision- Impairment
How does Consistency with TGSIs assist with a Vision-impairment?
TGSIs are designed to enable a person with a Vision-impairment with their orientation in the built environment.
Orientation is a person’s awareness of…
where they are
where they are going
and where they have been.
And without consistency in TGSI installations, we could be warning or directing people to the wrong location.
In the next module, we gain real insight into experiencing the built environment if you had a vision-impairment. And to gain an understanding of why, when and where to apply TGSIs in accordance with The TGSI standard.
I'm Dean Homicki. And I look forward to joining you in the next Learning Session.
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Sources
TSA-TGSI-1.2 - This staebl.academy course module has drawn information from the following sources:
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992, No. 135, Authorised Version C2018C00125 registered 19/04/2018
The Disability (Access to Premises- Buildings) Standards 2010, See Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Cth). The Premises Standards cover matters such as the design and construction of ramps and stairways, accessible toilets, and hearing augmentation systems. The current Premises Standards are available at www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011C00214 but note that these Standards are currently under review, so this may be revised after the date of this publication. Guidelines on the application of the Premises Standards (Version 2) - (2013) are available at www.humanrights.gov.au/guidelinesapplication-premises-standards
The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 or The Building Code of Australia
AS/NZS 1428.4.1: 2009 incorporating amendments 1 and 2: Design for Access and Mobility: Means to assist the orientation of people with a vision-impairment - Tactile Ground Surface Indicators -Preface, Page 2
