by Robyn Thompson
Anne Gibson passed away on 29.01.24 aged 90 years.
Anne was an Occupational Therapist who pioneered accessibility in her role at the Independent Living Centre (ILC) NSW. She played a significant role in the design the Accessible Kitchen and Bathroom displays at the centre in Ryde, as well writing the ILC Kitchen and Bathroom design books. Publications which provided valuable information that was used extensively by both professionals and people with a disability designing their own homes.
Anne represented the ILC on Standards Australia Access and Mobility Standards (ME64) for many years.
Anne was one of the original 13 access consultants who were part of the formation of the Access Institute NSW in the days when access consulting was in its very early stages of development in Australia.
With the creation of the ILC Access Consultancy Anne played a major role in the Olympic Projects undertaken by the Consultancy, including the Olympic Stadium and the Tennis Centre, at a time when inclusive design and the use of the Olympic Access Guidelines and the AS1428 suite of Standards in major projects was quite new and untested.
In her own quiet way Anne was committed to a high standard of accessibility and was always happy to pass on her knowledge and experience. Many of us benefited from her patience and willingness to be of assistance, she played a significant role in the professional development of not only many consultants but also of the profession.