Push for homes access

By Lia Bichel
A FORUM for accessible housing hopes that the government will adopt policies to improve disabled people’s social lives.
More than 60 people attended an Accessible Housing Forum, which was part of a continued effort to convince the government to implement accessible housing.
Councillors, developers and planning representatives from Casey and surrounds listened to guest speakers, and residents discussed the options for easily accessible property.
They want the goverment to make changes to construction regluations to make housing more accesible to disabled people.
Members of the Disability Action Southeast Groups (DAS) also expressed their concerns.
“It was the DAS’ group initiative, and something they are passionate about,” group facilitator and Disability Resources Centre advocate Katrina Newman said.
“The forum was a great success, and there has been a lot of positive feedback.”
Ms Newman said people at the forum expressed the need for easy access, step-free doors at ground level, re-enforced walls in bathroom showers and toilets so that a railing can be installed, wider doorways and corridors, and a mandatory accessible toilet on entry level.
“If these were made mandatory, it would not only benefit people with disabilities, but also benefit other people, such as mothers with prams.”
Guest speakers from housing organisations, disability centres and support services also advocated for accessible housing.
Ms Newman said a state-wide campaign has been continuing for more than 10 years, and it has been a long battle.
But she is hoping that in the near future, the State Government and the Federal Government would take on board the residents’ concerns and make residential housing disability-friendly.
“It’s frustrating for people with disabilities who feel isolated because they cannot go out and see their friends and family,” she said.
“If the government makes these changes, people with disabilities won’t feel so isolated,” Ms Newman said.
A Regular Impact Statement will soon be released by the State Government, which will test the costs and benefits of mandating four low-cost accessible features into the Building Code of Conduct.
The proposal comes as part of the State Government’s Build for Life Campaign launched earlier this year.
The forum was an initiative of the Disability Resources Centres action group Disability Action Southeast and is support by VCOSS.