Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The following are frequently asked questions:


What is the Public Domain?

The public domain is comprised of all parts of the environment to which the general public has access. It includes roads, footways, open spaces, parks and gardens, public buildings such as libraries and shopping centres, and public facilities such as swimming centres and toilets.

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What is an Accessible Public Domain?

An accessible public domain is any part of the environment to which the general public has access and contains facilities that enable equitable and dignified use by people of all ages and abilities.

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What is an Access Consultant?

The Association of Consultants in Access, Australia defines an Access Consultant as an individual who offers professional services in relation to the provision of equitable access for all, including people with disabilities, to any aspect of the built environment.

Access Consultants provide advice, audits and reports in relation to the provisions of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Building Code of Australia, Australian Access and Mobility Standards, and best practice, for the benefit of people of all ages and abilities.

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Who benefits from an Access Consultancy?

Implementation of Access provisions assists not only older people and people with readily identifiable disabilities such as those who use wheelchairs or walking frames, or those with canes or guide dogs, but also people with disabilities that are not readily obvious, such as heart or respiratory disease, cognitive disabilities such as vision or hearing impairment, and older people whose reflexes may have deteriorated.

These provisions also assist parents with strollers, parents with small children who walk, people who drive mobility scooters, people with a temporary disability such as pregnancy or football injury, people with groceries or luggage, and delivery personnel.

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Today's date is the

News

29 August 2012: Road safety
The United Nations introduced the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, on 11 May 2011. The Sydney launch was held in Parliament House, Sydney, on that date. APD supports the Decade of Action for Road Safety through the Fall Zero program, and by assisting Councils with their Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plans.

Fall Zero is a pedestrian safety program that aims to reduce the incidence of injury in the public domain. The NSW Local Government and Shires Associations have scheduled a series of Workshops on Fall Zero in Sydney on Monday, 17 September 2012 and Wednesday, 1 May 2013. See the following attachments for details: