Australia: Government of NSW Updates Accessible School Design Standards and Guidelines

Project summary

Objective

This project seeks to elevate the level of accessibility currently achieved by new school designs. Outputs will include:

Clarification and itemisation of existing accessibility requirements of the Educational Facilities, Standards and Guidelines (EFSG).
Updated review documentation and processes to ensure existing requirements are being consistently implemented.
New accessibility EFSG requirements to include key principles and relevant technical information to ensure our infrastructure response reflects the Departments Disability Strategy to ensure all students can access and fully participate in learning.
New Design Guidance documentation for the design of Support Units within mainstream schools to ensure key design principals and technical design information is communicated to design and project teams providing a considered and consistent approach.

Benefits

The new design guidance will communicate School Infrastructure’s position on accessible and inclusive design to project teams, benefiting all users including people with disabilities.

What will success look like?

The seamless integration of Inclusive Design or accessibility principles within the design process, with all new projects (including upgrades) as a minimum meeting the enhanced accessibility requirement of the EFSG, ensuring access to school facilities is equitable for all users.

What will success look like?

How will success be measured?

Success will be measured through:

The ability for project teams to adopt the new accessibility / inclusive EFSG requirements, with departures from these requirements reducing over time.
As we build new schools and undertake upgrade work, all users experiencing fewer physical barriers within the built environment.