In Malaysia, there is a need to create a registry of Universal Design Consultant and Universal Design Facilitators.
The reason for needing the registry of Universal Design Consultant and Universal Design Facilitator is as follows:
We need Universal Design Consultant because :
- There is a lack of Universal Design knowledge and know-how.
- The checking of drawings is done in a very basic way in local authorities and lack thoroughness due to the fast process of the One Stop Centre (OSC).
- The Principal Submitting Person (PSP) has been given more responsibility due to the change in the system of submission from CF (Certificate of Fitness) to CCC (Certificate of Compliance and Completion).
- The drawing checkers in local authorities especially those in district offices are not trained in design, moreover Universal Design.
- The problems of coordinating a lot of information required on the drawings
- The future approval mechanisms that require expertise such as Access Statements and Access Audit / Plan.
- Disabled and elderly persons who are unable to access buildings and premises and have no recourse for justice or compensation.
We need Universal Design Facilitators because:
- Older buildings (erected before 1990) needs to be Access Audited.
- Self-advocacy groups need to train in Access Auditing.
The Universal Design Consultant must be a professional from these professions: architects, engineers, planners, landscape architects and other related professions such as building surveyors and interior designer. On the other hand, the Universal Design Facilitator is a non-professional.
The Universal Design Consultant must be competent and skillful in the following:
•Understanding of user needs
•Knowledge of construction processes
•Knowledge and understanding of good practice and standards in relation to access
•Legal Understanding
•Problem identification and solving
•Professional Understanding
Whereby the Universal Design Facilitator will be competent and skillful in the following:
•Understanding of user needs
•Experience and ability in the access field
•Knowledge of construction processes
•Knowledge and understanding of good practice and standards in relation to access
•Legal Understanding
•Professional Understanding
The scope of work of a Universal Design Consultant involves the following:
Can make recommendations and provide solutions of a technical and policy nature as well as give advice
•To advise the client on the Accessibility and Universal Design concept of the development.
•To facilitate and provide training to the client.
•To recommend improvement to the development.
•To prepare and provide access statement to relevant authority.
•To prepare a complete report consisting of:
•Drawings
•Existing Plan
•To evaluate accessibility for disabled persons based on the Universal Design Index and Access Audit and to document all the information into a report and the Existing Plan.
•To liaise and consult with disabled persons and access advisory group to conduct Access Auditing Training.
•To identify problems in the area concerned.
•To recommend solutions to the technical problems.
For a Universal Design Facilitator the scope of work consists of the following items.
Identify access problems and give general advice on solution
•To evaluate accessibility for disabled persons whether based on the Universal Design Index and Access Audit and to document all the information into a report.
•To identify problems in the area concerned.
•To audit at design stage and after development
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