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Disability Access

Occupational health and safety – equity of access

In keeping with the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act(1992), the University’s own Disability Action Plan and various other University policies, Property Services is committed to providing equity of access (or universal access) to all students, staff and visitors to the University of Adelaide.

The legacy infrastructure of the North Terrace campus is a particular challenge, with stairs, steps and steep gradients all presenting barriers to access.

The official opening of the North Terrace Campus External Lift on 17 February 2006 is an obvious major example of the influence of equity of access principles on the design of new projects.

The lift and its network of ramps provide both access to the Plaza and Horace Lamb Buildings and unrestricted north/south access on the eastern side of the campus.

Other Property Services projects with significant equity of access outcomes include:

• The reconfiguration of the foyers of the Napier Building.
• Improved disability access and smooth, graded paving in the North Terrace Heritage Precinct project.
• The installation of automatic doors to the main entrances of six buildings on the North Terrace Campus – providing much easier access.
• Construction of seven new fully-compliant access toilets across the North Terrace Campus.
• The re-configuration of the Student Centre counter to allow for wheelchair access on both sides.
• The ramped access to the new Faculty of Sciences Office in the Darling Building – typifying the inclusion of equity of access principles in construction and refurbishment projects.

The Capital Management Plan for 2007 has allocated $500K for ongoing improvements to equity of access on campus, with alterations to the access ramp, Plaza and seating leading to the Barr Smith Library a major priority.

Other equity of access projects across the North Terrace Campus planned for 2007 include:

• Upgrading of external stairs.
• Re-tensioning of doors.
• Installation of signage.
• Upgrading of ramps.

Finally, the key construction and refurbishing projects that are planned and underway on the other campuses all include equity of access as a core consideration, with ramps, doors and fittings all designed according to Objective 14 of the University’s Disability Action Plan.