The latest release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has found that there were 4.4 million Australians with a disability in 2018, which totals 17.7% of the population. From these statistics, 1 in 3 people with disability report that their customer needs are often unmet by organisations when visiting establishments. Companies are continually seen to ignore these statistics and not cater for this large proportion of the population. According to the Australian Network on Disability, 62% of SME’s have not in the past 12 months made any alterations to make it easier for customers with a disability to visit their establishment.
Public parks and playgrounds, educational facilities, outdoor venues, aged care facilities and holiday parks, are some of the key locations where accessible picnic settings should be provided. Unfortunately, these areas that require accessible street furniture have not been proactive in ensuring that their spaces are useable by people that require wheelchairs. It is important that these facilities have wheelchair accessible street furniture so that it creates a positive interactive environment for those with disabilities allowing them to be part of an inclusive environment.
Following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), the increased manufacturing of DDA approved street furniture has meant there are more product options available. There is now currently a growing trend to give options of wheelchair accessible picnic settings and furniture items that can be used in conjunction with standard street furniture items. The DDA states that disability discrimination is present when a person is treated less or not given the same opportunities because of their disability in similar situations as the rest of the community.
This is why it is crucial for Astra Street furniture to ensure that their range of suite options include DDA approved and wheelchair accessible furniture options. As the Astra Street Furniture manufacturing processes are completed 100% in Australian, it makes the task of creating wheelchair accessible furniture achievable and able to have further customisations. Wheelchair accessible picnic settings are achieved in a couple of different configurations, which include single and double end accessibility, side accessibility, and 2-sided and 4-sided wheelchair accessible options. Some of Astra’s wheelchair and DDA options include:
Astra has already supplied a range of facilities with their wheelchair accessible and DDA approved furniture items, to create a positive and inclusive environment for those with a disability. For more information on why DDA compliance is important with street furniture, view the short article here.
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