CPPACC8002
Research and analyse access solutions for the built environment


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to research and analyse a broad range of complex and highly specialised information that is required in order to provide effective advice and influence design solutions that provide lawful access and inclusive use of the built environment for all people, including those with disabilities. Maintaining the currency of information is fundamental to the task. The unit covers the application of ergonomics and the human geometry of people with disabilities to access provision; the analysis of built environment issues with positive and negative impacts on people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments; and an in-depth understanding of the range of design solutions available and how they may be applied to the provision of access.

The unit supports access consultants in all aspects of their work. It applies to experienced access consultants providing advice to clients regarding the development of effective solutions that support access to the built environment.

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.

Source and manage a range of information to inform consideration of access solutions.

1.1.

Sources of information on the effects of disabilities and the interaction of people with disabilities and 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 solutions for providing access to and use of the built environment are researched and evaluated.

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.

1.6.

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

2.

Analyse information to deliver access solutions in the built environment.

2.1.

Best practice international and national solutions that provide access to and use of the built environment are researched.

2.2.

Solutions are assessed for their capacity to address the requirements of people with differing abilities and disabilities.

2.3.

Potentially suitable solutions are assessed in relation to their cost-effectiveness and compliance with Australian legislation,standards and codes.

2.4.

New and emerging developments in design, construction and fit-out solutions are researched and monitored and relevant information is applied to analysis of requirements for access to and use of the built environment.

3.

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

3.1.

Content and application of applicable legislation, codes and standards are analysed in relation to access and use requirements of people with disabilities.

3.2.

Content and application of government 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.

4.

Critique information and assess its role in the provision of advice.

4.1.

Professional judgement is used to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of potential access solutions.

4.2.

Professional colleagues and networks are consulted to share information and critique the efficacy and efficiency of potential access solutions.

4.3.

Research findings on best practice access and use solutions are documented and shared with colleagues and other professionals.

4.4.

Mechanisms are put in place to review and contribute to the updating of professional literature regarding access to the built environment.

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:

source information from authoritative, current and relevant information sources on each of the following:

effects of disabilities on access

legislative requirements for the provision of access and use

best practice solutions for the provision of access and use

develop and maintain mechanisms and processes for capturing, storing and updating above information

conduct above research and synthesise and evaluate information to inform the provision of advice regarding the development of solutions for access and use

research and critique solutions to two different conflicting compliance provisions and access issues that are not the subject of legislation

document findings of above research and analysis.


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 in relation to:

communication devices

fittings and fixtures

interior design solutions

premises’ design to facilitate access

technological solutions

telecommunications solutions

urban design solutions

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 and human geometry

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

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:

legislation, standards, codes, and guidelines relating to access

national and international literature regarding legislation, the effects of disabilities on access and use, and best practice design solutions

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

undertake professional development

update and manage information systems.

Numeracy skills to:

interpret numerical data in complex technical documents, regarding access to 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

research papers.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage sources of information

provide personnel with timely updates on 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

analyse access solutions that meet the requirements of codes and standards, including developing DTS and performance-based solutions in line with the BCA.

Digital literacy skills to:

capture data for site appraisals or audits

develop and maintain information management system

prepare and present data and reports.


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 deviation 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.

Built environment must include at least one of the following:

new or renovated premises, including commercial, public, private or recreational

communication systems

fittings and fixtures

parks, gardens and open spaces, including walking tracks and horse riding trails

public byways, including roads, bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths

public transport stops, stations and vehicles

tunnels.

Processes must include:

developing and maintaining networks

membership of access-related associations

peer review of specific projects

subscribing to publications, e-forums and websites.

Legislation, standards and codes must include:

Australian and international standards relating to access

Australian and international guideline documents relating to access

BCA, including:

DTS requirements and solutions

formulating performance-based alternative solutions

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