| The Problem One in five Australians, almost four million of the population has a disability, the rate being the same for males and females. The incidence of disability increases with age reaching 81% in those aged 85 years and over (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2004). Developing country disability statistics, when available, are often less reliable and also not directly comparable due to differences in classification (Hyder & Morrow 2001). Estimated percentage of the population of developing world countries with disabilities varies from 0.2% to 20.9% (Elwan 1999, p. 5). |
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| Towel/Grab Rail. Bradley Australia | ||
| Most of the built environment
is designed, constructed and modified without the incorporation of
universal design principles. This is despite claims that buildings
that feature such principles provide an enabling environment to persons
of all abilities, are no more (or only minimally more) expensive to
construct (Roennfeldt, html) and up to thirty times cheaper than later
modifications (Hill 1999).
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Persons with disabilities do not constitute a static minority on or outside the fringe of mainstream society. Everyone is likely to experience disability of a permanent or transient nature in their own lifetime (Hill 1999; Schuller 2005; Kaplan html). Disability has been shown to be linked to higher levels of poverty, lower levels of education and employment (World Bank 2004; O’Hara 2004; Lustig & Strauser 2004) and increased social exclusion (Schuller 2005; World Bank 2000; Peat 1997). The issue of mobility within the built environment crosscuts these deprivations (World Bank 2005; The World Bank 1999). Thus from a humanistic utilitarian ontology the removal of barriers constitutes both a right and obligation plus an opportunity to reduce suffering and frustration.
Ralph Green
(Master Builders, pg 5)
Master Builders, Housing For Life, The Master Builders Association of the ACT, 2001
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2004, Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers: Summary of Findings, Australia, (cat. no 4430.0).
Elwan, A, 1999. Poverty and Disability: A Survey of the Literature, Social Protection Discussion Paper Series, No. 9932, The World Bank, Washington, D. C.
Hill, M., 1999, Breaking Into Adaptable Housing: A Cost Benefit Analysis of Adaptable Homes ACT Adaptable and Accessible Housing Conference,
Hyder, A. & Morrow, R., 2001, 'Disease Burden Measurements and Trends' in Mersen M., Black R. & Mills A, (Eds) International Public Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems and Policies, Aspen Publications, Maryland USA
Kaplan, D., 2004, Universal Design for Disabled People Draws International Support, Report on International Conference on Universal Design, "Designing for the 21st Century", December 7 - 11, 2004, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, www.disabilityworld.org/ 12-02_05/access/universaldesign.shtml, (Accessed 2006 February 12)
Lustig, D. & Strauser, D., 2004, A Living Wage for Individuals with Disabilities: Implications for Rehabilitation Professionals, Journal of Rehabilitation. Alexandria, 70, (2), pp 3 - 5
O'Hara, B., 2004, Twice Penalized: Employment Discrimination Against Women with Disabilities, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, Austin, 15,(1), pp 27 - 3
Peat, M., 1997, Attitudes and Access: Advancing the Rights of People with Disabilities, Canadian Medical Association. Journal, Ottawa, 156, (50, pg 657
Roennfeldt, A., Design that Adapts to People: Some International Experiences,
Schuller, N., 2005, Disabled people, crime and social inclusion,. Community Safety Journal, Brighton, 4, (3); pp 4 - 14
The World Bank, 1999, Poverty and Disability: A Survey of the Literature, Social Protection Discussion Paper Series, No. 9932, Social Protection Unit, Human Development Network, The World Bank
The World Bank, 2000, Including the Most Vulnerable: Social Funds and People with Disabilities, Social Protection Discussion Paper Series 23 143, Social Protection Unit, Human Development Network, The World Bank
The World Bank, 2004, Disability Employment Policy, No. 0413 Social Protection Discussion Paper Series, Social Protection Unit, Human Development Network, The World Bank
The World Bank, 2005, Disability and Social Safety Nets in Developing Countries, No. 0509 Social Protection Discussion Paper Series Social Protection Unit, Human Development Network, The World Bank
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