This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required knowledge and understanding include:
commonwealth, state and territory anti-discrimination legislation and regulations
disability awareness
efficient and effective customer service
industry codes of practice and ethics
limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities
managing research projects
organisational and professional procedures, ethical practices and business standards
organisational requirements for documenting and presenting research findings, and for storing and retrieving documentation
planning and setting research priorities
privacy legislation and confidentiality requirements
report writing for presenting research findings, including referencing protocols
research methodology, procedures and protocols
sources of information that may support the research effort e.g. relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, such as building legislation and codes, and Australian and international standards; and publications and other materials/resources on access issues produced by Australian or other governments, international agencies, and professional or academic bodies
techniques for analysing information, collecting data and documenting findings.
Required skills and attributes include:
analytical skills to:
analyse, evaluate and apply legislative requirements pertaining to disability access
analyse and evaluate the impacts of the full range of disabilities and the limitations that each disability places on the individual's ability to access the environment
analyse and evaluate how environmental barriers impact on people with disabilities
analyse and evaluate the performance and outcomes of building innovations and alternative solutions
interpret non standard situations and analyse results to establish suitable methods for responding
application skills to:
apply relevant codes of practice and other legislative requirements to research processes
apply disability awareness to research processes
maintain knowledge of current codes, standards, regulations, practices and industry updates
use workplace equipment and communication methods
communication skills to:
explain clearly research findings on issues relating to the provision of access and relevant legislation
consult effectively with clients and colleagues
impart knowledge and ideas through oral, written and visual means
interpersonal skills to:
relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
consult and provide advice in a sensitive and appropriate manner
analyse own work practices and process outcomes critically
adapt to new workplace situations
literacy skills to:
assess and use workplace information
locate and interpret legislation and other written documentation
search databases and catalogues
conduct web-based searches
organisational skills to:
prepare and manage documentation
plan and set priorities
coordinate technical and human resource inputs to research activities
work within time and resource constraints
develop and implement organisational policies and procedures
meet client expectations
research and evaluation skills to:
develop innovative solutions for the provision of access, based on rigorous research processes
source, analyse and evaluate legislative requirements for the provision of access
technical skills to:
analyse information and document findings
reference, store and retrieve data
recommend solutions to access issues based on the accurate interpretation of legislation, standards, publications and other materials and resources
technology skills to:
apply information technology and computer skills to analyse data and prepare reports and other documents based on research findings.