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Welcome to No: 43 of THE PDCN BULLETIN. This Bulletin goes out to PDCN members and others who wish to receive it regularly by email. Internet links are included throughout the bulletin for further reading. Please forward this bulletin to anyone you know would welcome it.

With the recent review of the Premises Standards the Physical Disability Council of NSW would like to take the opportunity to encourage all to provide comment on these Standards by either participating in either of the following processes:

• Preparing a submission to the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
  Send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday 27 February;
• Attending a public hearing to be conducted by the Standing Committee to be announced at a later date; or
• Send your comments to Jordana Goodman (PDCN Policy Officer) by Friday 20th February
  to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

With nearly 20 years since the adoption of the Disability Discrimination Act, the Physical Disability Council of NSW and disability community have been awaiting clarity over the formation of Access to Premises Standards. The Rudd Government has recognised this lack of consistency in the building industry, limitations of the complaints process and difficulties with the court system.

To assist with the preparation of the Premises Standards the Australian Building Codes Board and the Australian Human Rights Commission have been working to establish an access building code to be incorporated into the BCA and once adopted will provide greater legal strength.

Important issues when trying to access the built environment have been incorporated into the draft Premises Standard including:

• Continuous accessible paths of travel;
• Signage;
• Walkways, ramps and landings;
• Stairways;
• Doorways and doors;
• Switches and powerpoints;
• Accessible sanitary facilities, including toilets and showers;
• Seating in auditoriums and places of public entertainment;
• Accessible car parking; and
• Lift installation.

To find relevant documentation for this review please see the following documents:

• Draft Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2009
• Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards Guidelines 2009
• A Model Process to Administer Building Access for People with a Disability

The Physical Disability Council of NSW will be forwarding a submission drawing on the following concerns:

• Roles and responsibilities for different stakeholders of the building industry;
• Approval processes;
• Heritage buildings;
• Walkways, ramps and landings;
• Limited access to common areas to residential buildings;
• Accessible car spaces in public domains;
• Parking provision in commercially operated parking stations;
• Accessible sanitary toilet and shower facilities; and
• Lift installation.

We welcome any feedback. Please forward any comments, concerns or issues to Jordana Goodman by phone on (02) 9552 1606 or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 13th February.

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