We are pleased to advise that we now have a Dropbox folder for the project. The folder contains 5 separate folders:
This information can be used by media, interested parties, supporters, advocates, industry or anyone else interested in the project to spread awareness.
To request access to the folder please send us a message.
We would like to announce that Braille Sign Supplies in Australia is now a licensed partner of the Accessible Exit Sign Project.
To get a PDF copy of this Media Release, dated 12 January 2015 click the link below
Media Release 12 January 2015 Licensed Partner – Braille Sign Supplies
The contact details for Braille Sign Supplies are provided below:
Braille Sign Supplies stocks a large range of fully compliant Braille Signs and also proudly manufactures custom Braille / Tactile signs to assist people who are vision impaired.
Using quality materials and superior craftsmanship, they offer fast delivery Australia-wide with a large range of Stock Braille Signs to choose from in their online store. They also offer their clients the opportunity to stand out from the crowd with Custom Braille Signs made to order, with or without the use of the ‘Accessible Means of Egress Icon’.
All signs provided come complete and ready for easy self-installation. Braille Sign Supplies signs comply with Australian Standards, the Building Code of Australia, and Wayfinding Guidelines, and feature perfectly rounded beads to create a smooth and user-friendly raised tactile Braille text.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Braille Sign Supplies for their support of the Project and commitment to improving the built environment for people with disability in the form of supplying accessible exit signs.
We encourage signage companies around the world to become licensed partners of the Accessible Exit Sign Project. By doing so you will not only present as an organisation that considers corporate social responsibility a priority, but you’ll also have a unique product in the market place. You can then use the Icon on our designs, or you can design your own signs to suit your needs or local legislative requirements. We also encourage all those involved in public infrastructure projects to consider the use of the ‘Accessible Means of Egress Icon’ within your own projects as we can also work on project specific license agreements.
Please contact us at info@egressgroup.com.au, we’d love to add you to our list of licensed partners.
We would like to announce that Safety Sign Sales Limited in New Zealand is now a licensed partner of the Accessible Exit Sign Project.
To get a full PDF copy of this Media Release, dated 5 January 2015 click the link below
Media Release 5 January 2015 Licensed Partner – Safety Sign Sales Limited.
The contact details for Safety Sign Sales Limited are provided below:
Safety Sign Sales Limited is New Zealand’s leading supplier of Safety Signs to schools, industry, small and large businesses.
Safety Sign Sales has been creating and distributing signs both to the retail sector and the wholesale sector for over 20 years. They also proudly support a network of local Christchurch businesses to create their extensive range of signs.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Safety Sign Sales Limited for their support of the Project and commitment to improving the built environment for people with disability in the form of supplying accessible exit signs.
We encourage signage companies around the world to become licensed partners of the Accessible Exit Sign Project. By doing so you will not only present as an organisation that considers corporate social responsibility a priority, but you’ll also have a unique product in the market place. You can then use the Icon on our designs, or you can design your own signs to suit your needs or local legislative requirements. We also encourage all those involved in public infrastructure projects to consider the use of the ‘Accessible Means of Egress Icon’ within your own projects as we can also work on project specific license agreements.
Please contact us at info@egressgroup.com.au, we’d love to add you to our list of licensed partners.
A gap exists in most countries legislative framework relating to the evacuation of people with disability under current disability discrimination, building and workplace safety laws. The gap exposes those members of the community with disability, particularly those with sensory or mobility disabilities to the risk of being delayed in their ability to evacuate a building or being entrapped within a building that has been evacuated. The situation exists where buildings are increasing being built or upgraded to be more accessible – without considering how to get all occupants out in an emergency.
In 2009 the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that there were four million Australians or 18.5% of the population with a disability. The figures are comparative to other westernized countries. In comparison and to consider the issue from a global viewpoint, there are 36 million people with a disability in the United States alone, of which 19.4 million have difficulties walking or climbing stairs, which is equivalent to the entire Australian population in 2001. The UN has also released data that states that 15% of the world’s population has a disability and this equates to over 1 billion people.
The following statistics released by the Australian Network on Disability provides an insight into the statistics of Australian workplaces:
Another important consideration will be the age demographics of society in future years. It has been forecast that the proportion of the Australian population over 65 will increase from 14% in 2011 to 25% in 2100 which potentially will see an increase in the number of persons with a disability. This is comparative to international population projections prepared by the United Nations which predict the number of people over 65 is set to double within just 25 years.
The number of people aged 85 years and over in Australia is projected to increase rapidly, going from 344,000 in 2007 to 1.7 million in 2056. Given these recent trends, it is also fair to assume that in the future people will be working longer. A recent analysis of 43 countries by researchers from Harvard University found that between 1965 and 2005 the average legal retirement age increased by less than six months, but in contrast life expectancy increased by nine years, with many European countries now linking the legal retirement age to life expectancy data. Similarly, the Australian Government as recently as May 2014 announced that people will have to remain working until they are 70 years old before they are eligible for the age pension.
This equates to a significant percentage of people who may have little consideration for their safe evacuation from a commercial building. Consideration of the needs of all occupants is especially important for those facing a vertical egress path (i.e. via a stairway).
People with disability have increasingly moved into the mainstream of society and deserve to be afforded the same level of safety as they go about their day to day activities as other occupants of buildings. After all, there are statutory obligations within many countries, including Australia that require employers, building or facility management, building contractors and building designers to contribute to a workplace that is “without risks to the health and safety of any person”.
The practical and equitable provision of safe egress for all building occupants has been a complex issue to resolve, with a general lack of awareness, understanding and a failure to provide a holistic approach from all parties. The issue of discussing emergency egress within workplaces has previously been described by U.K. based Northern Officer Group in 1993 as “opening the proverbial can of worms”, where employees with disabilities would rather keep quiet than cause any trouble or risk their own employment opportunities. This is not an acceptable situation and needs more consideration.
More consideration needs to be made to the provision of equitable egress provisions in buildings with an accessible means of egress and appropriate exit signage. Workplaces need to promote an environment where discussions on an individuals needs for evacuation can be raised without fear of recourse and confidentiality.
I’d encourage every one to read the guidebook below from which this article has been adapted. The guidebook will help all readers understand the issues, the risks, and identify strategies to provide a safe building for ALL occupants. Though the book discusses the Australian legislation, the concepts are applicable where ever you call home.
By Lee Wilson, author of the evacuation guidebook titled “Evacuation of People with Disability & Emergent Limitations: Considerations for Safer Buildings & Efficient Evacuations”.
Accessible Exit Sign Project 