Publications
Independent LivingVolume 25 No 4
published in February 2010
Featured Articles
Universal Housing Design - Why Don't We Have More
By Jane Bringolf, University of Western Sydney, NSWTo say that the construction industry is confused when it comes to including the needs of the wider population is an understatement. This is particularly the case when it comes to the traditional family home.
As part of my doctoral research into the construction industry’s attitude to universal housing design, I've been surveying and interviewing across several disciplines: property development, design, construction and planning.
Current regulations based on adaptable housing standards seem to be reinforcing the concept of 'normal' housing for 'us' and 'special' housing for 'them' rather than educating the industry about the differing and changing housing needs of the population. Many multiunit developments are now required to meet elements of AS 1428 and the Adaptable Housing standard.
Access Standards - for Home Modification Practice
By:Liz Ainsworth, Private Practice Occupational Therapist & Access Consultant
and Desleigh De Jonge, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland
There is a great deal of debate about the relevance and application of public access standards and the adaptable housing standard to home modification practice. This article describes the scope of these standards, the profile of the population on which they are based and their use in the evaluation and design of public and private buildings. It also examines their role in the home modification process and their contribution to determining design requirements and designing modified home environments.
There are a range of Australian Standards relating to safety, amenity, and integrity of public and residential built environments, and the consistency and quality of products used in the design, construction and modification of buildings. Those frequently referred to in the home modification process are AS 1428, Parts 1 and 2, which relate to access to and within public facilities, and AS 4299 (1995), the Adaptable Housing Standard for residential accommodation. Technical standards related to electrical and plumbing work and wet areas and product specific standards also govern the design of domestic dwellings and the fixtures, fittings and materials used within the home.
ILCNSW Launches a New Service Delivery Model
The website project was generously funded by the then NSW Department of Ageing Disability and Homecare to improve information on Assistive Technologies for allied health professionals living and working in rural and regional NSW. The project was known as the Rural Assistive Technology Support project.We commenced the website project with a simple vision: 'Access to Information On-line, Wherever You Are'.
On 23 November 2009, the new-look website was launched by the Hon. Paul Lynch, NSW Minister for Ageing & Minister for Disability Services. Two days later, ILCNSW held a celebratory conference 'A Day of AT at ILC'. The Conference was all about Assistive Technology and with speakers from around the country.
Twenty-Five UP - 25 years of Independent Living
Article by Jane Bringolf, Executive Director ILCNSW 1998-2007Journal covers of past and present, from volumes 17 to 24, were placed side by side for readers to travel down the memory-lane of the publication.
