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 […]

Asia-Pacific, Assistive Technology, Universal Design, July 15 2021 INDIA: A Museum of Possibilities, a permanent exhibition on assistive devices and accessible technology for differently abled people, is getting readied in the city by the State Commissionerate for the Welfare of the Disabled and Vidya Sagar, a non-governmental organisation. The museum, which will open this year, will […]

Asia-Pacific, Built Environment, June 24 2021 AUSTRALIA: The City has put its support behind the national Sport4All program, as one of six Victorian LGAs to sign up to the initial pilot in the state. Sport4All aims to help sporting clubs and schools become more accessible and inclusive to enable people with disability to have choice and […]

Asia-Pacific, Built Environment, News, June 16 2021 KAZAKHSTAN: According to the Ministry of Healthcare, there are about 705,000 people with special needs including 94,000 children in Kazakhstan. Some 37 centers for adults and 23 for children with disabilities operate nationwide. Overall, more than 500 medical organizations provide inclusive health services. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about […]

Asia-Pacific, News, June 4 2021 A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission calls for far-reaching changes to ensure governments, companies and others safeguard human rights in the design, development and use of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). The Human Rights and Technology final report, released today, makes 38 recommendations to ensure human rights […]

Asia-Pacific, Built Environment, May 4 2021 Australia: A national reform to the construction code would require new houses and apartments to meet minimum accessibility standards, following a push from the ACT government. Most of Australia’s building ministers agreed to the accessibility standards at a national meeting on Friday. The standards would require new homes to […]

Asia-Pacific, Events, News, May 3 2021 India: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and V-shesh Learning Services Private Limited have undertaken a pan-India study to comprehend the “Impact of Covid-19 on people with disabilities” in India in the first quarter of the current year 2021. The focus of this study was to determine and assess the medium […]

Asia-Pacific, Built Environment, January 7 2020 CHINA: China has on Sunday released a blue paper on efforts made for handicapped people, highlighting improvements in the barrier-free environment across the country. A blue paper on efforts made for handicapped people shows improvements of barrier-free environment for the disabled. [Chinanews.com] The Chinese Academy of Disability Data Sciences, the […]

KAZAKHSTAN: The government hosted a press conference Dec. 25 to share the country’s plans for next year, including increasing support for entrepreneurs and the social sector, reported the prime minister’s press service. Deputy Prime Minister Berdibek Saparbayev, Minister of Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov and Minister of Labour and Social Protection Birzhan Nurymbetov were in attendance. Kazakh […]

Asia-Pacific, December 19 2019 Disability at a Glance 2019: Investing in Accessibility in Asia and the Pacific — Strategic Approaches to Achieving Disability-inclusive Sustainable Development. An estimated 690 million persons with disabilities live in Asia and the Pacific. As this figure is expected to grow over the coming decades, the need for enhanced accessibility will […]