CPPACC8001
Research and analyse access and use requirements for people with diverse disabilities


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to research and analyse complex and highly specialised information relating to access and use requirements for people with diverse disabilities in order to build a significant knowledge base for application to their work. It includes developing an in-depth understanding of the range and nature of variations in people’s abilities and disabilities, the implications for the provision of access to and use of the built environment, and the extent and limitations of compliance requirements.

The unit supports access consultants in all aspects of their work. It applies to experienced access consultants for whom maintaining the currency of access and use information is fundamental.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Develop and manage a knowledge bank on access to the built environment for people with disabilities.

1.1.

Sources of information on the requirements of people with disabilities to enable access to and use of the built environment are researched and evaluated.

1.2.

Sources of information on compliance requirements for access to and use of the built environment are researched and evaluated.

1.3.

Forums for discussion and debate regarding effects of disabilities on access to and use of the built environment are researched and used.

1.4.

Processes are put in place to ensure access to and currency of information regarding legislative changes and best practice solutions.

1.5.

Information management system is developed and maintained to ensure currency and availability of information in knowledge bank.

1.6.

Information is shared and discussed with internal or external personnel as required.

2.

Analyse effects of disabilities on access to and use of the built environment.

2.1.

Static and functional anthropometrics of people with physical disabilities are researched, and requirements for access and use are analysed and confirmed.

2.2.

Functional abilities and needs of people with sensory impairment are researched, and requirements for access and use are analysed and confirmed.

2.3.

Functional abilities and needs of people with cognitive impairment are researched, and requirements for access and use are analysed and confirmed.

2.4.

Advancements in ergonomic practices and data are monitored, and information is applied to analysis of requirements for access to and use of the built environment.

3.

Analyse compliance requirements for access to and use of the built environment.

3.1.

Content and application of legislation, standards and codesare analysed in relation to ergonomic principles and access and use requirements of people with disabilities.

3.2.

Content and application of government development policies and urban planning regulations are analysed in relation to ergonomic principles and access and use requirements of people with disabilities.

3.3.

Conflicting compliance provisions and access issues that are not the subject of legislation are identified, and access solutions are analysed and critiqued in suitable forums.

4.

Contribute to the development of the access consulting sector.

4.1.

Opportunities for learning and reflection on the needs of people with disabilities and the principles of access and use are sought, and findings and ideas are discussed with colleagues and refined.

4.2.

Research findings on best practices in access and use provision are documented and shared with colleagues and professionals within the framework of access governance.

4.3.

Opportunities for participation in professional debate and decision making regarding access and use compliance issues and solutions are sought and contributions made.

4.4.

Opportunities for improvement of access and use provisions are sought and contributions made.

Evidence of Performance

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.

The person must also:

select and subscribe to or access different reliable sources of information relating to each of the following:

requirements of people with disabilities for access to and use of the built environment

current and proposed compliance requirements

synthesise and evaluate information from above sources regarding:

effects of disabilities on access to and use of the built environment

advancements in ergonomic practices

develop an information management system to underpin own knowledge bank on access issues and solutions

analyse existing and proposed compliance requirements and debate related issues in three different forums

evaluate best practices in access and use provision and discuss in the above forums.


Evidence of Knowledge

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:

access and use compliance requirements, including:

codes

guidelines

legislation

local authority policies

protocols

regulations

standards

accessibility requirements relating to equipment used by people with disabilities, such as:

assistance animals

audio frequency induction loops

braille and tactile signage

long white canes

TTY telephones

walking frames

wheelchairs

best practices in access and use, including measures that exceed compliance requirements

gaps and trends in, interrelation of, and conflict between compliance requirements

policy development, legislative and regulatory frameworks relating to access to and use of the built environment

principles of access to and use of the built environment, including:

adaptable design

best practice solutions to access and use requirements

principles of ergonomics as they apply to use of the built environment

range of information, policy and support sources to inform professional work

scope of functions of the human body, including:

auditory and visual processing

cognitive functions

mobility

psychiatric conditions

social construction of disability, including:

effects of restriction of autonomy

institutional models

medical models

social, civic and economic inclusion

static and functional anthropometrics, including:

measurements of the body dimensions of people both with and without disabilities

reach ranges of people with and without disabilities

step and gait of people with and without disabilities, including people who are blind or vision impaired and using a white cane or a guide dog

visual range capabilities of people with and without vision loss

types of disabilities and combinations of disabilities and related range of functional limitations, including:

auditory

cognitive

mobility

muscle wasting and weakness

psychiatric

vision.


Assessment Conditions

The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:

equipment:

computer and software to undertake research and support an information management system

specifications:

industry publications and forums

sources of information on:

requirements of people with disabilities for access to and use of the built environment

current and proposed compliance requirements

relationships with colleagues:

networking at professional forums.

Assessor requirements

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.


Foundation Skills

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Performance feature

Learning skills to:

maintain currency of own professional knowledge

participate in debate on relevant issues

undertake professional development.

Numeracy skills to:

perform calculations and analyse data in complex technical documents, legislation and standards in relation to access compliance and use of the built environment.

Oral communication skills to:

exchange complex information with people from diverse backgrounds using language and format suited to the context and audience.

Reading skills to:

interpret complex legal and technical documents regarding access to and use of the built environment, such as:

legislation, standards and codes specified in the range of conditions

Australian and international guideline documents

Building Code of Australia (BCA) deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) requirements, performance requirements, and alternative solutions

BCA Part A, Part D, Part E, Part F, Part H, and state variations

research papers.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage documentation

ensure currency of legal and regulatory requirements.

Problem-solving skills to:

analyse access and use issues for people with disabilities

identify gaps and conflicts in compliance requirements and seek resolution.

Digital literacy skills to:

develop and maintain electronic information management system.


Range Statement

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Disabilities must include:

a single disability or combination of disabilities

impairment: problem in body function or structure, such as significant damage or loss

activity limitation: difficulty in executing core functions of self-care, mobility or communication

participation restriction: problem in involvement in life situations, such as school or employment

permanent or temporary disabilities.

Processes must include:

developing and maintaining networks

membership of access-related associations

subscribing to publications, e-forums and websites.

Ergonomic practices and data must include consideration of:

details of wheelchair circulation and reach requirements

scientific study of persons in their own environment to measure their potential to navigate or operate equipment

research data, such as Guide to Ergonomics Principles in the Design and Selection of Office Furniture (AMD 16084) 1990

impact of technologies on ergonomic performance, efficiency and effectiveness.

Legislation, standards and codesmust include:

Australian and international standards relating to access

Australian and international guideline documents relating to access

BCA

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and its regulations and amendments

DDA Premises Standards

DDA Transport Standards

DDA Education Standards

state, territory and local authority legislation, regulations and planning requirements.


Sectors

Access consulting