New iBook for DIYers to improve access for disabled people

New iBook for DIYers to improve access for people with disabilities

A new iBook will help DIYers – and trades people – with improving building access for people with disabilities, with a particular focus on access ways and ramps.

Standards New Zealand Acting Chief Executive, Michelle Wessing, said in some cases a building consent is not needed for designing and constructing a mobility ramp. The iBook Improving Access for People with Disabilities came about as a way to make it easier for those wishing to do the work themselves, although any work will still need to comply with the New Zealand Building Code.

‘The Building Act 2004 recognises that people with disabilities are part of the community, and that any barrier preventing them from participating in the social and economic life of that community should be removed. Architectural barriers cause the most difficulty for access, not only for people with disabilities, but also for many other people, particularly the very young and the elderly.

‘We have a lot of interest in our standard NZS 4121:2001 Design for access and mobility – Buildings and associated facilities but this covers a much broader scope than is required by DIYers and trades people who may be looking for information about designing and constructing a ramp. We came up with the iBook as a way to make some parts of NZS 4121 as accessible as possible to those people who do not need the full standard, and at a low cost.’

The material contained in the iBook is a collation of content from three publications.

• NZS 4121:2001 Design for access and mobility – Buildings and associated facilities

• SNZ HB 4102:2011 Safety in the home

• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Building work that does not require building consent. Building Act 2004. Third edition 2014.

The book is available for download with iBooks on your Mac or iPad, and with iTunes on your computer. Multi-touch books can be read with iBooks on your Mac or iPad. Books with interactive features may work best on an iPad. iBooks on your Mac requires OS X 10.9 or later.

Buy the iBook through www.standards.co.nz

Buy NZS 4121:2001 and SNZ HB 4102:2011 at www.standards.co.nz

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