The Australian Building Codes Board recently issued a Consultation Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to accessible housing, based on a cost-benefit analysis undertaken by the Centre for International Economics (CIE).
The CIE is now recommending continuation of the current voluntary code of practice as the costs of regulating to set minimum standards for accessible housing would exceed the benefits.
As a consequence, the Melbourne Disability Institute is urgently undertaking a survey of adults with any mobility limitation (including people with disability and older Australians), followed by interviews. This is to identify qualitative benefits to people with disability including improved quality of life, well-being and mental health outcomes and greater independence and empowerment.
According to the guidance note on cost-benefit analyses issued by Office of Best Practice Regulation in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, cost-benefit analysis should include a qualitative assessment. This has not been undertaken by CIE, notwithstanding the fact that the qualitative element is likely to have a very significant effect on the conclusions.
Link to the survey:
https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ai6nqENSX9jX5AN
Due to the deadline set by the ABCB, information is needed by August 26, 2020. For more information contact: Dr ilan Wiesel at: ilan.wiesel@unimelb.edu.au