This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required knowledge and understanding include:
Access Panel structures
anthropometric principles of accessible building design and fitout
the difference between common law, judicial precedents and legislation
commonwealth, state and territory anti-discrimination legislation and regulations
commonwealth, state and territory Heritage Acts
design, structural and construction principles of buildings
disability awareness
environmental issues impacting on material selection
ergonomic principles
functional systems of the human body
industry codes of practice and ethics
international standards on building access
jurisdiction of Access Panels
legislative requirements of presenting evidence to Access Panels
limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities
nature of building materials and effect of performance
occupational health and safety policies and procedures
processes for interpreting reports, working drawings and specifications
preparation of a current comprehensive curriculum vitae
principles and techniques associated with:
group dynamics and processes
leadership
communication and negotiation
planning
decision making
procedures and protocols for Access Panels
processes for recording data, administering records and preparing reports
relevant commonwealth, state and territory building and other legislation, local government regulations and Australian standards
research methodology and analytical processes
role of legal personnel on Access Panels
role, responsibilities and powers of building certifiers
state and territory Planning and Development Acts
relevant terminology and definitions in hazard identification
types of allowable evidence raised in Access Panels
types of issues raised in Access Panels.
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
review and evaluate arguments presented in Access Panel case documentation
application skills to:
apply relevant anti-discrimination and building legislation
apply industry building codes of practice and ethics and other legislative requirements to work processes
apply disability awareness to work processes
apply current Australian and international building codes, standards, regulations and practices
communication skills to:
discuss issues relating to the provision of access presented in Access Panel case documentation and the relevant legislation with other Access Panel members
present arguments to other Access Panel members based on legislation and other research activities
seek alternative advice from other experts within own field
seek advice from experts in areas outside own expertise
literacy skills to:
assess and use workplace information on Access Panel role and responsibilities
read and interpret plans, specifications and structural drawings
read and use anatomical and medical terminology
read and use building and construction terminology
read and comprehend Access Panel case documentation
organisational skills to:
confirm that all relevant Access Panel case documentation is provided
research, reference, store and retrieve data for use in Access Panel processes
interpersonal skills to:
relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
seek and obtain information in a sensitive and appropriate manner
facilitate change for greater awareness of disability access
participate in a team environment to complete tasks
analyse own work practices and process outcomes critically
engage colleagues and share disability access knowledge
adapt to new workplace situations
personal attributes relating to:
impartiality
fairness
independence
objectivity
confidentiality
respect
report-writing skills to:
prepare reports and other Access Panel documentation following Access Panel style policy, procedures and guidelines
research skills to:
initiate investigative research relating to specific Access Panel cases
source, analyse and evaluate building legislative requirements
source, analyse and evaluate legislative requirements for the provision of access
technical skills to:
identify problems and develop solutions
participate in decision-making processes
facilitate effective group processes to:
provide leadership
provide innovative responses to emerging access issues.