Difference between National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Part D4 and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in both scope and application?
The NCC 2022 Part D4 “Access for People with a Disability” and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) are both crucial frameworks aimed at ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities, yet they differ in scope and application.
Scope: Part D4 of the NCC outlines specific technical requirements and standards for ensuring accessibility in the design and construction of buildings and facilities in Australia. It provides detailed guidelines for aspects like ramps, doorways, corridors, toilets, and parking spaces to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
Application: The NCC is primarily concerned with physical infrastructure and sets standards for new construction, renovations, and alterations of buildings to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. It aims to create a built environment that is inclusive and accessible by all.
Scope: The DDA is a federal legislation in Australia that aims to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in various areas, including employment, education, provision of goods and services, access to premises, and more. It covers a broader scope beyond just physical accessibility, addressing issues related to discrimination and equal opportunities in various aspects of public life.
Application: The DDA applies across all sectors and requires organizations, businesses, and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure people with disabilities have equal access and opportunities. It emphasizes non-discrimination and promotes inclusive practices in all areas of public life.
Key Differences:
Focus: NCC Part D4 specifically deals with physical accessibility standards in construction and design, while the DDA addresses a wider range of issues related to discrimination and equal access across various sectors.
Application: NCC Part D4 is focused on the construction industry and sets technical standards for physical accessibility in buildings, whereas the DDA applies to all sectors and promotes non-discrimination and equal access in society.
While NCC Part D4 provides technical guidelines for ensuring physical accessibility in the built environment, the DDA works to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all aspects of life, beyond just physical access to buildings. In addition, warrants protection against discrimination for people with disabilities across different sectors; legal action can be taken if discrimination is identified.
What does the new Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020 entail?
From 1 July 2020 in NSW, the new Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020 will take effect. It is aiming to introduce further changes to the building certification industry in NSW.
Under the new Act, the work traditionally available to a certifier in a project is effectively halved which could have significant commercial ramifications for the industry.
Understandably, the new Regulation will have significant impact upon private certifiers, as distinct from the certifiers who work for councils. As in any other state, the Private Certifiers can act equally as the council certifier in the certification process in NSW. It is likely that the changes will lead to a constraint on the scope of services that can be provided by the Private Certifiers in NSW.
Not to mention the continuing difficulties in obtaining professional indemnity insurance all mean that the construction industry is likely to see disruption in the supply of private certification services for a considerable period of time?
