Updates and news about Visionary Design Development's research project for the City of Melbourne:

The Economic Benefits of Universal Access

Above:
Focus group in the Melbourne Room

The current phase of the research project draws to a close with the final of the focus groups being held in the elegant surroundings of the Melbourne Room.

During the first phase, comprehensive surveys were carried out of organisations, services and business to ascertain what, if any, recent changes had been made to their premises to increase accessibility. In follow-up interviews, more in depth questions were posed to identify what, if any, financial and social benefits were gained from an improvement in accessibility. 

The next phase involved a series of focus groups made up of persons with disabilities, government and policy making representatives and built environment professionals.

Insightful observations that emerged during the interview phase include the following:

"Real economic and practical benefits. Ramps have improved maintenance access, cherry pickers etc can get everywhere up to and around the interior for maintenance. Ramps in constant use."

"Doubling of visitors, open appearance is of major benefit to everyone, previously doors and steps very daunting."

"The new building will be opening 2009 and will have a glazed link to existing concourse. A new ramp will be good for pram access."

"Providing a centre which is accessible for all patrons provides a convenient shopping destination for mobility impaired residents in the surrounding area."

"Upgrade of disabled toilets shows a noticeable increase in PwDs.
Letters written from disability organisations say they are happy with work, good for business."

"While previously sanitary facilities were accessible, recent works have increased their accessibility so now some users have become more self-sufficient."

City of Melbourne

Good Access

is

Good Business

Program

VDD embarks on a reasearch project for the City of Melbourne   The Economic Benefits of Universal Access

BACKGROUND
The City of Melbourne undertakes many roles to promote the rights of all people, including people with disabilities. The Council, through its key strategic document Melbourne – A City for All Abilities, The City of Melbourne Disability Action Plan 2005-2009, is committed to improving access, participation and inclusion for all citizens. Founded on human rights principles and anti-discrimination laws this Plan reaffirms the growing societal acceptance that it is the access barriers within society that limit choices and opportunities for people with disabilities to fully and actively participate in all aspects of life.

Consequently, although a disability may limit specific capacity or abilities of individuals, it is predominantly the physical barriers within society that results in the exclusion of people with disabilities. Given that 20% of Australians and 19% of Victorians have a disability this equates to a large portion of people within our community having limited choices and opportunities to actively participate in all aspects of life.

OBJECTIVE
To provide a concise report that presents evidence to support the social and economic benefit of businesses and services providing universal access. Consequently a culture of access for all will be supported reducing the incidence of social exclusion experienced by many people (with disabilities) within our community.