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, | ||
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