International Access Comparisons

About this event

This webinar focuses on International Access Comparisons with Lindsay Perry from Lindsay Perry Access and Martin Burgess from Access and Building Consultancy on Wednesday 21st September 2022 starting at 12 noon (AEST Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra time)

Lindsay is currently researching international accessibility legislation in the context of developing an international best-practice model. This interest has stemmed from her work with the United Nations in Africa.

The presentation will explore the origins of accessibility legislation at the global level and look at how it has been implemented / interpreted by various countries. The differences and similarities between various standards and codes will be highlighted.

So why is this relevant to the Australian access consultant?

We work with a performance-based building code where we are often asked to demonstrate the functionality of “performance-based solutions”. Understanding accessibility requirements at the international level can assist us in developing alternative approaches to compliance that promote access and inclusion. 

Martin Burgess has been living and working as an Access Consultant in the UK for several years and will bring a boots on the ground international perspective to the webinar.

He will be including such topics as the new ‘PAS’ (British Standard Specification) on Neurodiversity and the UK Building Regulations – Approved Document M

About Lindsay Perry - Director, Lindsay Perry Access

Lindsay Perry is an Internationally Certified Access Consultant (Level 2) who is passionate about access and inclusion.  She has twenty years of experience in access consulting throughout Australia and at the international level, having worked with the United Nations to promote an international best practice for all building works within the Economic Commission for Africa.

Lindsay is the current President of the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA) and the Australian Country Representative for “Smart Cities for All” that is part of G3ict – The Global Initiative on Inclusive ICTs.

She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle researching universal design in developing countries.

About Martin Burgess - Director, Access and Building Consultancy

Martin has worked in construction for over 30 years and has extensive experience in universal design since the inception of disability discrimination legislation in the 1990’s.

He also has worked in a statutory Building Control environment with Building Certification experience in the UK. His access work includes supporting clients with design assessments, access audits, performance solutions as well as resolving practical issues throughout the construction process. He has international experience with clients in Australia, as well as the UK, Canada, USA, and Asia.

He believes in helping clients seeking innovative and positive ways of ensuring inclusive design, being proactive in finding solutions which work for all those who will access and use the facilities associated with the built environment.

He has worked at all levels of organisations, including managerial, policy development and his pragmatic and practical approach to regulatory guidance has won praise from clients worldwide.

Martin is an accredited member of the Association of Consultants in Access (ACAA), as well as being an Access Consultant of the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC) in the UK, and currently sits on their Advisory Panel. He is also a member of the UK’s Access Association. He has also sat on management committees in the UK and Australia, as well as supporting consultation work on new Australian Standards and British Standards most recently looking at accessibility requirements associated with publicly accessible Electric Vehicle Charging.

Whilst working in Australia, he also contributed to the review and development of Australian Standards with the ME64 Committee. In the UK, he has given evidence and contributed to the Women and Equalities Committee of the UK Government.

His Australian work experience included Access Consultant work on the Perth Children’s Hospital, Sydney Metro Northwest, Canberra Light Rail, and the Albert ‘Tibby’ Cotter Pedestrian Bridge serving the Allianz Stadium and SCG (via Surry Hills).

Martin presented two papers to the 2017 ACAA International Conference which included one on Accessible Housing.

Martin is an independent Access Consultant as well as working part time for the international consultancy company - Buro Happold. Current projects include the complete redevelopment of Olympia in London, Everton Football Club’s new stadium in Liverpool and alterations to Tottenham Hotspur’s Football Ground in London.