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An NCC Performance Solution tailored to disability access (also called accessibility for people with a disability) is a customised, evidence-based approach to meeting the National Construction Code (NCC)'s mandatory Performance Requirements for equitable, safe, and dignified access—without strictly following the prescriptive Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) provisions.

In Australia, disability access is primarily governed by NCC Volume One, particularly:

• Section D (Access and Egress), including D1P1 (Access for people with a disability — the core Performance Requirement), D1P2 (Safe movement to and within a building), and related clauses like carparking (e.g., D1P8).
• Part D4 (Access for people with a disability) — this contains the main DTS Provisions, referencing standards like AS 1428.1 (Design for access and mobility — General requirements for access — New building work) for ramps, doors, circulation spaces, accessible toilets, signage (braille/tactile), hearing augmentation, tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs), accessible seating in assembly buildings, and more.

The DTS pathway follows exact measurements and details from AS 1428.1 (e.g., minimum door widths, maximum ramp gradients, specific toilet grabrail positions, etc.). When site constraints, heritage listings, innovative designs, cost considerations, or existing buildings make full DTS compliance impractical or impossible, a Performance Solution is used instead.

Why Use a Performance Solution for Disability Access?

Performance Solutions promote flexibility and better outcomes in accessibility. They allow innovation while ensuring the building still achieves (or exceeds) the intent of the Performance Requirements, safe, equitable, and dignified access for people with mobility, vision, hearing, or other impairments.

Common scenarios include:

• Heritage buildings where widening a doorway or installing a ramp would damage significant features.
• Steep sites where standard ramp lengths/gradients are unfeasible.
• Unusual layouts (e.g., narrow corridors, level changes) where full DTS circulation spaces can't be met.
• Alternative door automation (e.g., power-operated doors) instead of wider clearances.
• Modified accessible toilet layouts or grabrail positions due to space limits.
• Reduced accessible carparking dimensions or locations in constrained carparks.
• Alternative wayfinding or signage approaches.
• Emergency egress provisions for people with disability (though not always mandated, often addressed via Performance Solutions).

Key Process for a Disability Access Performance Solution

The NCC requires a structured, documented process (per clauses like A2G2(4) in recent editions):

1. Prepare a Performance-Based Design Brief — Define the issue, relevant Performance Requirements (e.g., D1P1 and D1P2), objectives, acceptance criteria, stakeholders (owner, certifier, access consultant), and proposed methods.
2. Carry out Analysis — Use approved Assessment Methods:
   • Verification Methods (if applicable — NCC has some for access).
   • Evidence of suitability (e.g., test reports, certifications, simulations).
   • Expert judgement (from accredited access consultants).
   • Comparison to DTS (demonstrating equivalent or better performance).
   • Modelling, risk assessments, or user trials.
3. Evaluate Results — Confirm the solution meets the Performance Requirements "to the degree necessary" (a qualifier in D1P1 allowing proportionality based on building use/type).
4. Prepare a Final Report — Comprehensive documentation, including limitations, conditions of use, maintenance requirements, and sign-off.

This report is submitted to the building certifier (or relevant authority) for approval. Accredited access consultants (e.g., members of Association of Consultants in Access Australia) often prepare these, ensuring alignment with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and Premises Standards.

Benefits and Considerations

• Enables creative, inclusive designs (e.g., better automation for doors benefiting everyone).
• Must be rigorous — poor justification can lead to rejection or future issues.
• Often more cost-effective long-term than retrofits.
• Always consult a qualified access consultant early to avoid compliance risks.

In essence: For disability access, if the standard "recipe" in Part D4 / AS 1428.1 doesn't fit your project, a well-documented Performance Solution lets you "bake a different cake" that still delivers safe, equitable access for people with disability — fully compliant with the NCC. Many specialist firms (e.g., access consultants) provide these services nationwide.