Ensuring DDA Compliance: Choosing the right door hardware for your building.
Understanding DDA Compliance
The Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 (DDA) was established to safeguard individuals with disabilities from discriminatory practices. This includes various aspects such as employment, housing, recreational activities, education, and access to goods and services. According to the legislation, individuals with disabilities have the right to enjoy equality and fundamental rights on par with those without disabilities.
Why disability access is good for business
- Compliance with DDA legislation benefits not only individuals with disabilities but also contributes positively to your business. The Australian Network on Disability (AND) provides compelling statistics illustrating this connection:
- More than 4.4 million Australians, constituting 1 in 5 of the population, are living with disabilities.
- Within this group, 76.8% experience physical disabilities.
- Individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to provide negative reviews and discourage others from engaging with a business that has a poor reputation for diversity and accessibility.
- Moreover, those with disabilities are three times more likely to avoid businesses altogether if they perceive a negative reputation concerning diversity and accessibility
What Happens If You Fail to Comply with the DDA?
In reality, businesses of different sizes are being affected by legal proceedings associated with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Failure to do so can result in unfortunate consequences, leaving the company with a bad reputation and potentially damaging its brand image.
Even prominent entities like Netflix and Amazon, along with well-known figures like Beyonce or JayZ, have found themselves entangled in web accessibility lawsuits.
Those who believe they have experienced discrimination can submit a complaint on the Australian Human Rights Commission website, initiating an investigation wherein both parties are given the chance to address and resolve the matter.
Which public access does the D.D.A cover?
The establishment of the DDA aimed to prohibit the exclusion of individuals with disabilities from any public space. This encompassed various entities, including institutions, pathways, and recreational areas accessible to the public. Importantly, this legislation extends beyond new constructions to encompass existing locations. Failure to adhere to the DDA may result in complaints and, in specific cases, necessitate upgrades to non-compliant existing spaces.
The scope of public places affected by the DDA encompasses:
- Educational institutions
- Retail establishments
- Financial institutions
- Public pools and restrooms
- Cafés, restaurants, pubs, and clubs
- Theaters
- Legal firms
- Libraries
- Sports venues
- Government offices
- Public transportation
- Medical practices and hospitals
- Hairdressers and beauty salons
- Government-run services, among others
- Community Building
Although external spaces like footpaths, walkways, and parks are not explicitly addressed in the Premises Standards, they remain under the general provisions of the DDA, emphasizing the overarching principle of nondiscrimination against individuals with disabilities.
How the DDA applies to your building
Within every commercial structure, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is in place to ensure that your facility is entirely accessible to individuals with disabilities. This entails more than simply installing a ramp, making an accessible path or any standard wheelchair access. Strict adherence to specific guidelines and access to building regulations is imperative to guarantee comprehensive accessibility for everyone.
DDA Compliant Entrance Door Handles
DDA offers a comprehensive range of door hardware equipped with a user-friendly grip mechanism, ensuring effortless operation and access for individuals with restricted hand dexterity when opening and closing doors.
We demonstrate our dedication to accessibility through an extensive collection of brass door furniture that adheres to DDA compliance standards. This inclusive range encompasses door handles, turns, and push pull handles, meticulously designed to provide access for people and meet the diverse requirements of commercial buildings.
Lockwood Brass Core is commonly employed in healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, aged care facilities, and residential care and independent living spaces. This furniture is designed to meet industry standards, offering durability and hygiene. The presence of brass further contributes to minimizing the spread of germs and bacteria.
What is the recommended height for DDA door entrance handles?
DDA-compliant door handles should be positioned within the range of 900mm to 1100mm from the base of the door, with the optimal height being 1000mm.
What features define a DDA-compliant door handle?
An appropriately designed DDA door entrance handle should have a distance of 72mm from the handle to the keyway. Additionally, the handle should curve back towards the door surface to prevent snagging and enhance the ease of gripping and functionality.
Our wide range of DDA compliant door hardware
Why Lockwood Brass Core Furniture?
1000 hours of rigorous testing
The brushed satin chrome (SC) finish withstood a prolonged neutral salt and spray test for over 100 hours, achieving the highest ranking as per the Australian Standard.
Architectural hardware
With a timeless appearance, they effortlessly enhance a range of architectural designs. Take, for instance, the oil-rubbed brass shade, which imparts a sense of grace and refinement to a heritage building.
Our customers can choose any compliant brass door handle style and use the turn on any type of door furniture in any finish they like.
Metal and Powdercoat Finishes at Your Choice
Lockwood provides an extensive range of decorative metal and powdercoat finish choices (from matt black to hot pink) to meet diverse architectural hardware requirements. All decorative finishes in this category are manufactured in Australia at our Oakleigh facility. Local production ensures a swift, dependable turnaround and stringent quality control.
Proudly designed and assembled in Australia with Lockwood’s trusted quality at its core, the Brass Core range includes a large array of compliant lever styles that have been designed to integrate with the character of a building; providing aesthetic continuity throughout.
Winner of the Good Design Award 2020.(Building / Hardware category)
Lockwood Vivid Collection - the complete hardware solution.
At Lockwood, we understand the importance of providing accessible entrances and safe access that are inclusive for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Explore our extensive selection of DDA compliant door handles and complete range within the Lockwood Vivid Collection, ensuring flawless functionality while meeting accessibility requirements. This range encompasses DDA door handles, turns, and flush pulls, available in various styles and three luxurious finishes (gunmetal, satin bronze, and satin brass) to complement any aesthetic preference.
Made from stainless steel, The Vivid® Collection features 3 finishes obtained through a physical vapor deposition (PVD) surface treatment. This process provides numerous advantages, including unparalleled hardness—four times that of chrome—superior scratch and wear resistance, and enhanced resistance to corrosion. Moreover, PVD coatings are environmentally friendly, emitting no toxic liquids or gases during manufacturing, making them a cleaner and safer production method.
Choose from our Brass Core Furniture's various finishes and lever styles Or the Vivid Collection to complement any interior design and aesthetic without compromising on accessibility.
At Lockwood, we understand the importance of providing accessible entrances and safe access that are inclusive for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Explore our extensive selection of DDA compliant door handles and complete range within the Lockwood Vivid Collection, ensuring flawless functionality while meeting accessibility requirements. This range encompasses DDA door handles, turns, and flush pulls, available in various styles and three luxurious finishes (gunmetal, satin bronze, and satin brass) to complement any aesthetic preference.
Made from stainless steel, The Vivid® Collection features 3 finishes obtained through a physical vapor deposition (PVD) surface treatment. This process provides numerous advantages, including unparalleled hardness—four times that of chrome—superior scratch and wear resistance, and enhanced resistance to corrosion. Moreover, PVD coatings are environmentally friendly, emitting no toxic liquids or gases during manufacturing, making them a cleaner and safer production method.
Choose from our Brass Core Furniture's various finishes and lever styles Or the Vivid Collection to complement any interior design and aesthetic without compromising on accessibility.
DDA Compliant Entrance Pull Handles
Lockwood Entrance Handles are meticulously crafted with premium materials to meet the highest standards in style, durability, finish, and design.
These designer pull handles are made from brush 304 and 316 grade stainless steel or brass, ensuring their suitability for external environments.
The versatile Multi Fix feature allows any full set to be transformed into a half set with the option of a concealed fix or disk fix kit. Fixing bolts tailored for timber, aluminum, or glass doors are readily available.
Additionally, a curated selection of Entrance Handles is offered with the stylish Matt Black or stainless steel finish (MBK) option.
Wide variety of DDA Compliant Door Closers
Our wide extensive range of disability-friendly hardware ensures effortless incorporation into residential and commercial settings, specifically designed for DDA compliant bathrooms and toilets.
For disabled toilet applications where a breakout feature is required, the double action of the mechanism allows the door to be operated in the opposite direction for easy access into the room.
These door closers are not only built to adhere to DDA standards but also boast exceptional quality and functionality. With our DDA door closers, you can confidently provide wheelchair accessible entrances for people with disabilities while maintaining a harmonious aesthetic appeal.
Check out our series of door control/ door closers that provide premium energy efficient entry for commercial buildings:
1. CAM Action Door Closer with Slide Arm:
Our cam action Door Closers are light to open, but their adjustable closing force is high enough for heavy-duty applications. Available in both matt black and metal colours. As a part of the legal requirement, they also have been successfully tested up to four hours (depending on type of doorset) on fire door assemblies in accordance with Australian Standard AS1905.1:2005, Part: Fire Resistant Door sets.
Lockwood 2615 CAM Action Door Closer with Slide Arm
Lockwood 2616 CAM Action Door Closer with Slide Arm
2. Free-Motion Door Closer with Cam Motion Tech:
The Lockwood 2636FS Door Closer is designed to feature the use of Free-Motion functionality and the unique benefits of CAM Action Technology. A completely unique solution.
Lockwood 2636FS Free-Motion® Door Closer with Cam-Motion® Technology
3. Lockwood 5831 Series Low Energy Operator
As one of the world’s only regenerative power door operators, the Lockwood 5831 Series Low Energy Operator available in Matt Black offers energy efficiency by as much as 100 percent versus other comparable operators. Available in wireless and plug-in versions and able to fit in the tightest of spaces, the 5831 Series is simple to install and use.
Lockwood 5831 Series Low Energy Operator
If you're looking for door handles for wheelchair users, and meet the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), then consider our Lockwood complete range of DDA passage and privacy door handles, turns and door closers.
Choosing the right door hardware for your building:
A thorough understanding of DDA compliance is essential for businesses and institutions to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 serves as a crucial framework to protect the rights of people with disabilities across various aspects of life.
The wide range of DDA compliant door hardware offered by Lockwood, including entrance handles, designer pull handles, and door closers, underscores the commitment to accessibility and functionality. Explore our diverse offerings to complement any interior design without compromising accessibility.