Is close enough good enough? Understanding why technical compliance leads to independent access for people with a disability.

Is close enough good enough? Understanding why technical compliance leads to independent access for people with a disability.

Is close enough good enough? Understanding why technical compliance leads to independent access for people with a disability.

1/05/2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Australia/Sydney $66 member price, $82.50 non-member price CPD Points - 2 Number of Hours - 2

About Event

This engaging 2 hour online webinar, delivered by Michael Small and Daniella Polita, unpacks why precise technical compliance is essential to achieving safe, dignified and independent access for people with disability.

Expert Insights

The session bridges the gap between regulation and reality by combining the perspectives of two industry leaders:

Michael Small: A specialist who played a key role in developing the Premises Standards.

Daniella Polita: An experienced Occupational Therapist with deep insight into real-world user needs.

Together, they offer a rare perspective on not just what the requirements are, but why they matter for true independence.

Through an analysis of real building examples – highlighting the successful, the problematic, and the costly – you will discover how minor design and construction decisions significantly impact usability and compliance.

Practical learning

Through an analysis of real building examples – including the good, the bad, and the costly – you will see how small design and construction decisions significantly impact usability and compliance outcomes. The workshop also explores how performance-based approaches can be used effectively to deliver high-quality access.

Who is this for?

This session is a supportive guide for professionals looking to strengthen the relationship between compliance and functional outcomes, including:

  • Access consultants

  • Architects, designers, and engineers

  • Builders and building surveyors

  • Property managers and local governments

About the Speaker

Michael Small

Director, Equality Building

Michael Small creates seamless accessibility across Australia’s built and digital landscapes. He partners with government, industry, and the disability sector to transform complex regulations into clear paths for inclusion.

During his extensive tenure at the Australian Human Rights Commission, Michael spearheaded national standards for public transport, education, and the internet.

As a key architect of the Premises Standards and NCC access provisions – and a contributor to various Standards Australia committees – he bridges the gap between policy and practice.

Today, Michael empowers building professionals with the resources needed to design spaces that welcome everyone, ensuring compliance serves as a foundation for genuine community belonging.

Dani Polita

Occupational Therapist / Director, Elevate OT Services

Daniella drives inclusive environments and optimal human performance through her leadership at Elevate OT Services and the Tas Ergonomic Collaborative.

As a seasoned occupational therapist in Tasmania, she empowers adults – particularly those recovering from neurological conditions or complex orthopaedic injuries – to regain independence.

With over a decade of private practice, she integrates clinical expertise with ergonomics and workplace rehabilitation. Her diverse academic background includes an MBA, postgraduate studies in OH&S, and design thinking from MIT.

Currently expanding into access consulting, Daniella creates symbiotic solutions that bridge human factors and accessibility to ensure every space supports the people within it.

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Ticket Type Price Spaces
ACA Member $66.00 N/A
Non ACA Member $82.50

Registration Information

Booking Summary

1
x Non ACA Member
$82.50
Total Price
$82.50
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