In Australia, it has been calculated that 15 per cent of the population is in some way disabled. This includes both physical and mental disabilities. Yet the majority of the non-disabled population either try to ignore these people, or consider them the problem of someone else. One of our best known, and highly awarded, residential architects designed his 'best' homes on the side of hills, usually with multiple levels and main access only from the bottom. Internal access was via steps.
Residential design has a very long way to go to improve access for disabled persons.
Most of the legislation is aimed at the public use of commercial or industrial buildings. The Building Code of Australia specifically excludes single residential units. This has become evident in the equal-employment legislation now in force throughout Australia. The current changes in the building regulations, discussed below, reflect this approach. Curbs have been graded at most street intersections or pedestrian crossings and ramp access to the majority of public buildings and transport facilities are accepted as the norm rather than exceptions.