Extract from the Human Rights Commission website: © Australian Human Rights Commission

ISSUE 3:
Nosings on stairways

Importance of the feature

The application of highlighted nosings on treads/goings on stairways assists, in the main, people with a vision impairment; however all members of the community benefit from this application.

The highlighted nosing is used to indicate the location of the nosing or leading edge of the tread/going to ensure safe movement up and down the stairway by all members of the community.

People with a vision impairment may not be able to locate the edge of the tread/going on a stairway if the top of the nosing does not have adequate highlighting to distinguish one tread from the next, thus making it extremely difficult for them to use the steps safely.

To many people with a vision impairment the stairway without this application will look like a ramp or shaded section of a walkway.

Extract from Human Rights Commission website: © Australian Human Rights Commission

ISSUE 2:
Handrails on stairways

Importance of the feature

Handrails are important to all of us, but especially so for people who are blind or vision impaired, people who have a mobility disability (but able to use stairs) and people who have an intellectual disability or brain injury.

Handrails are used to steady and provide guidance as we ascend or descend the stairs. To ensure the stairway is as accessible as possible two handrails are required. This assists those people who don’t have the use of both hands, in which case they may need to use either the left or right hand handrail as they ascend or descend.

Effective handrails are ergonomically designed so that they can be used by all people, especially those with an impairment to their hand or arm function. Continuous handrails that allow a user’s hand to maintain a hold on the handrail without the fixings breaking the grip assists in safe transition throughout the complete journey either up or down a stairway.

The ends of handrails must be designed to reduce the incidence of injury to pedestrians.

Extract from Human Rights Commission website: © Australian Human Rights Commission

ISSUE 1:
Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs)

Importance of the feature

TGSIs are used to warn people who are blind or vision impaired that they are approaching a hazardous situation such as a set of stairs, a ramp or an overhead obstruction that they might bump into or injure themselves on.

The TGSIs are designed so that they may be read either tactually underfoot; through the tip of a long cane, or visually because of a high luminance contrast - which means that the colour of the TGSIs stands out compared to the surrounding floor/ground surface.

That space with the yellow stripy lines is there so that a person who has a disability can alight from a vehicle without blocking your access to the circulation roadway.

85% of respondents want to improve functionality.

A great home relaxes you and informs you that you are protected and secure in your comfort zone. A home that doesn't function well creates emotional conflict and anxt as you attempt to traverse all those niggling work arounds you dislike about your present circumstances.

A good designer is empathic to your lifestyle, that is, the designer understands how you relax, entertain, feel safe, need your own space and that designer appreciates what kind of private spaces you need, personally, to face your next challenge outside your home - outside your comfort zone.

A good home takes you on a journey from your arrival to your most private spaces. It takes your visitors from arrival to a sense of wonder and intrigue... they want to see more, but your home specially prevents them from seeing it all, unless of course invited, and then it unfolds from space to space, thrilling your guest at each stage. A good home lets you decide what experience guests/visitors have and the degree of revelation permitted.

How can we assist you to improve the functionality of your home? 

What I like to do is to try and ensure that your design permits a relaxed flow of spaces from entry/public spaces to your private and recreation spaces, whether inside or outside. Taking advantage of a variety of spaces is the key here so that, should you need to, an individual can escape the household without feeling locked up in, say a bedroom with 4 walls, a window and a door. A relaxed flow of spaces, by chance or by design, also provide for the most accessible of spaces for a person with a disability. This is what can be achieved by removing the barriers to every day life.

Read the full article at: Australian homeowner survey reveals renovation desires and designer demand