Back (left to right): Barbara Almond (UTS), Edward Morris (Physical Disability Council NSW), Katherine Mackinnon (UTS), Farah Madon AM (Vista Access Architects), Professor Phillippa Carnemolla (UTS). Front (left to right): Professor Simon Darcy (UTS), Mark Relf (Accessibility Solutions).

Inclusive by Co-Design: Rethinking Accessible Bathroom Design 

Vista Access Architects is proud to have contributed to an important University of Technology Sydney (UTS) research project investigating how accessible bathrooms can be designed around lived experience, real-world data and the diverse needs of people with disability.

The research challenges the assumption that meeting minimum accessibility standards necessarily means a space is genuinely usable. Working directly with wheelchair users, disability organisations and accessibility professionals, the project explored the gap between technical compliance and real-world accessibility. A survey of 209 participants highlighted the diversity of wheelchair users and their varying mobility, equipment and support needs.

A key principle of the research was that people who use accessible bathrooms should help shape how they are designed. Wheelchair users were involved in developing the research, testing survey questions and participating in real-world fieldwork. The research collected extensive qualitative feedback and identified how seemingly minor design and maintenance issues can significantly affect independence, safety, dignity and participation.

The research team developed a portable research laboratory that could be taken into real public bathrooms. The technology included 360-degree imaging, laser scanning, eye-tracking glasses, biometric monitoring and wheelchair-mounted scanning equipment.

This enabled researchers to understand not just the physical dimensions of an accessible bathroom, but how people actually move through and use the space. The findings demonstrated that real-world usability can reveal issues that may not be identified through conventional plans, measurements or compliance assessments alone.

The research also involved in-depth interviews with wheelchair users to understand their personal experiences of accessible bathrooms. Participants described having to plan trips around bathroom availability, dealing with poor maintenance and encountering design features that affected their ability to use facilities independently and safely. The research reinforced that accessibility needs vary significantly between individuals.

Farah Madon AM – Industry Partner

Farah Madon AM, Director of Vista Access Architects, participated as an industry partner in the UTS research project, contributing specialist expertise in accessibility consulting, universal design, accessible bathroom design and the Australian access standards framework.

Vista Access Architects is committed to supporting research, advocacy and innovation in accessible design and to helping advance an understanding of accessibility that goes beyond minimum compliance to create environments that are genuinely inclusive, usable and dignified for people with disability.

Vista Access Architects' involvement in this research was provided on a pro-bono basis in support of research and advocacy for improved accessibility and inclusive design.

Read the full UTS story: Inclusive by Co-Design

[Image showing an Accessible bathroom}

As a part of our social responsibility / pro-bono works, Vista Access Architects have been involved with an exciting research project with UTS (University of Technology Sydney). The project is led by Professor Sidney Newton, Professor Simon Darcy and Dr Phillippa Carnemolla with Farah Madon and Mark Relf as industry partners and partnership with PDCN and SCIA.

This project undertakes inclusive empirical research with/by the aged and disability community, in living laboratory (mobile/field) settings. The research will document (accurately 3D scan) in-place accessible bathroom designs; analyse individual use experiences (using sophisticated motion-capture and user biometrics); and listen to (discuss, survey and observe) lived experiences. 

The video link is of the feedback webinar held on Tues 8 November 2022, and describes the research undertaken and findings from the project, along with next steps for improving these spaces for those that use them.

Certificate of Appreciation from NADO for pro-bono services for Respite home

It was a lovely surprise to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for providing Pro-bono services for a Respite home for People with disabilities in Winmalee, NSW from Denise Heath, CEO of NADO (Nepean Area Disability Organisation)

Share My Ability Gym

Farah Madon and Vanessa Griffin from Vista Access Architects have recently provided pro-bono Accessibility related services to Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation Limited (NADO)to transform an industrial unit into the first of its kind Sensory Gym in Penrith.

Article from Western Weekender HERE

One of our pro-bono projects involved provision of access consulting services for a very long and complex wheelchair accessible pathway for children at Bear Cottage (An initiative of The Children's Hospital at Westmead)

Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW providing support, respite and end of life care for children with terminal illness and their families.

We are delighted to have been able to contribute to this fantastic project!

Vista Access Architects were delighted to provided pro-bono access consulting services to NOVA EMPLOYMENT for their building at 103-105 Queen Street, St Marys NSW

NOVA Employment is a Disability Employment Service and Registered NDIS Provider that assists people with disability to find and maintain award wage jobs in the general community.

NOVA is a Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Program that offers specialist job seeking assistance and post placement support. They find jobs in the general community, at award wage. NOVA works exclusively with people who have a variety of disabilities or significant barriers to work and have an excellent record of success and meaningful career development.

Vista Access Architects recently provided pro-bono Disabilty Access Consultancy services for Sunnyfield Disability Services. 

Sunnyfield is a member based, registered not-for-profit charity. Guided by their values of respect, trust, honesty and innovation, it is their mission to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disability through person-centred active support that creates choice, opportunities and skills for life.

Day to day, they deliver services for over 1800 clients, including young children, teenagers, adults and seniors with disabilities.

Everyone Can Play

I was delighted to be a part of the Advisory team, providing pro-bono advice on the new "Everyone can play" the Guidelines for desiging inclusive playgrounds, an initiative of the NSW Government. 

Every child, with or without a disability deserves the opportunity to be able to play in an inclusive environment.

These guidelines aim to achieve that and much more providing background stories, best practice design recommendations and evaluation checklists. 

A copy of the Everyone Can Play Guideline can be downloaded from HERE

Vista Access Architects provided pro-bono design services for a proposed Adult Change Facility for Touched by Olivia Foundation at Livvi's Place in Five Dock.

Touched by Olivia Foundation is a wonderful initiative, bringing accessible play spaces for all abilities and we would encourage you to get in touch with them, if you can assist in any way.

Visit www.touchedbyolivia.com.au

Vista Access Architects provided a pro-bono services for Bear Cottage which included a outdoor landscape design access audit through St. Patricks Estate designed by Marsden Architects. Bear Cottage is the only Children's hospice in NSW and is dedicated to caring for children with life-limiting conditions. Visit www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au

Farah Madon served as a Management Committee member of Penrith Disabilities Resource Center, joining PDRC as a management committee members in 2010 till 2019.

PDRC is funded by the Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Human Services, (ADHC) to resource and support people with disabilities who live, work in, and/or utilise services based in the Penrith Local Government Area and/or surrounding areas. The service caters for the needs of people with all types of disabilities.

PDRC provides regional Advocacy, Information and Referral Service for people with all types of disabilities, their families, carers, advocates and other service providers.

Farah Madon has served as a Community representative of Penrith City Council's Access Committee since 2010. 

The Access Committee is a formal committee of Council which provides advice to Council about access issues and promotes the inclusion of people with a disability as full members of the community. The Committee provides accessibility related feedback on major Development Applications and is also responsible for providing assistance to Council in the development of the Penrith Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2017-2021. The DIAP will steer Council’s actions to make Penrith City more accessible and inclusive for everyone, including people with disability, over the next five years.

Farah Madon has been a puppy raiser for Guide dogs NSW.

At eight weeks of age, Guide Dog puppies are placed in the community with volunteer Puppy Raisers. These families or individuals ensure that the new recruits get the best possible care, in a loving home environment. Puppy Raising is a 12 month commitment in which raisers are responsible for feeding and grooming, exercising their puppy daily, taking their puppy to Puppy Pre-School and socialisation days and teaching their puppy basic obedience skills like sit, stay and drop. If you would like to be a puppy raiser please contact Guide Dogs NSW

Women’s Community Shelters works with communities to establish new shelters, which provide short term emergency accommodation and support in a safe environment that enables homeless women to rebuild self-esteem and achieve control and fulfilment of their lives.

Vista Access Architects provided pro-bono Disability Access Services for the shelter in Penrith called "The Haven". 

Macarthur Diversity Services Initiative (MDSI) is a not for profit charity based in Campbelltown for over 30 years. MDSI primarily works with migrant and refugee communities in the outer South West of Sydney. As a charity they also work with the most disadvantaged and marginalised mainstream communities throughout the Macarthur region. MDSI believes in a world where people matter, communities are connected and everyone is accepted.

Vista Access Architects provided pro-bono Disability Access Services for two projects for Macarther Diversity Services.

Grace’s Place - An initiative of Homicide Victims Support Group (HVSG) will provide support in a safe place where children, teenagers and their families grieving the death of someone they love through homicide, can share their experiences, receive counselling, be involved in therapeutic programs and learn life skills on how to survive the trauma without their loved one.

Vista Access Architects is providing pro-bono Disability Access Services for this project. As Access Consultants on the project, our focus has been to provide a high level of accessibility and inclusion from the concept design stage.

Nepean Disability Organisation (NADO) is a community-based charity and a Community Housing provider that supports people with disabilities, their families and carers in Western Sydney, including the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Penrith suburbs and surrounding areas. NADO raises awareness of the rights, needs and abilities of people living with disabilities so that individuals can actively participate in the community and achieve their full potential.

Vista Access Architects provides pro-bono Disability Access related services on on-going NADO projects.

Luke Priddis Foundation aims to improve the lives of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders). They provide services to help kids with ASD learn vital skills like how to talk, read, write, draw, and even how to play with other children. These skills give them a better chance at independence as they grow up.

Vista Access Architects provided pro-bono access consulting services and design input which included provision of an Adult size change table facility, a new lift and general accessibility through-out the facility.