All ability cities are inclusive of people with different needs, and specifically the needs of people with disability. This means that people, no matter their level of ability can take part and contribute within society.
“Nearly one in five Australians have a disability
Disability inclusion is not only the right thing to do, inclusive practice opens up a new market with increasing spending power. In the first quarter of 2017 it is estimated that globally people with disability spend over $3.3 billion on tourism, around 17% of the entire global spend1.
Economists are not alone in seeing the advantages of disability inclusion, policy makers are also driving equal rights for all to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that cities can offer. The New Urban Agenda was adopted by the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in 2016. The Agenda represents a worldwide vision that cities are a source of solutions for a better and more sustainable future. The Agenda is guided by three main principles, the first of which is to leave no one behind.
For many of us the stereotypical image of disability is someone in a wheelchair but studies have shown that almost 90% of disabilities are invisible3. Invisible disability could include someone with chronic fatigue, a person with a hearing impairment or someone with mental illness.
In 2011, suicide or self-inflicted injuries were the biggest cause of death amongst people aged 15-444. The environment in which we live has been shown to have a major impact on our health and wellbeing.
“People identifying as having a mental or behavioural disability rose by 12% between 2012 and 2015.
Having access to amenities and services is something that many of us take for granted. But much work still needs to be done to ensure that people with disability can access and contribute to society as they wish. The Design for Dignity Guidelines were developed in collaboration between the Australian Network on Disability and Westpac. They provide principles for ‘beyond compliance’ accessibility in urban regeneration and are a useful resource on the function elements of inclusive access.
Another useful resource is Disability Inclusion Planning – A Guide for Local Government which Urbis developed for the Australian Local Government Association. This guide provides practical advice to councils on how to go about planning for disability inclusion and includes several examples of how councils have worked with people with disability in the planning and delivery of facilities and services.
One such example is the guide is the City of Melville in Western Australia. The Melville LGA has a large number of people aged over 60 and has the second highest rate of dementia in Australia. To help meet the needs of their community the City has developed the Melville Age Friendly Accessible Business Network (MAFAB). The network encourages local businesses to implement initiatives, such as communication training and accessible signage to help improve the experience of seniors and people with disability.
One of the growing areas of invisible disabilities is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Between 2003 and 2012 there was a 280% increase in the number of Australians with autism5. Children with autism often find busy and noisy environments such as shopping centres over-stimulating. Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne partnered with the peak body for people on the autism spectrum in Victoria to develop a quiet room within the shopping centre. The room has soft, soothing colours and sensory furniture and toys to reduce anxiety and over-stimulation.
In Cleveland, Ohio, the Quicken Loans Arena – best known as the home to the Cleveland Cavaliers – is the first sports arena to be certified as sensory inclusive. Working with an inclusion organisation, the Arena installed a Sensory Room that provides a quiet space to allow attendees to take some time out away from the crowds and loud noise.
Attendees can also request a sensory bag that provides several assistive aids including fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones and weighted lap pads. The bag also includes a feelings thermometer that allows people who may be non-verbal or overwhelmed to communicate their feelings to a family member, carer or staff member. The Arena has also adjusted the policy on re-entry to allow for those needing to take a break outside the Arena and around 500 Arena staff have also been trained to communicate and understand the needs of people with sensory sensitivities.
“Neurodiversity is the variation in the way that the human brain works. It includes Autism, ADHD, Epilepsy, Bipolar and Anxiety.
The arts are being used to encourage conversations about mental health and wellbeing. The Big Anxiety Festival is an initiative of the University of NSW and will be running throughout Sydney from 20 September to 11 November. Over 60 events will use interactive art to promote curiosity and understanding of mental health experiences, challenging us to think about how we can create more neurodiverse-cities. Urbis has worked with UNSW to create an evaluation framework to identify the possible short and longer-term outcomes of the festival and data and measurement tools.
1. Bega District News, 2017, Retrieved from Inclusive tourism market a growth opportunity for Bega Valley operators
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2015
3. Leedon, C. (n.d.). Tackling the Invisible: the hidden world of ‘invisible illness’. Retrieved from Tackling the Invisible: the hidden world of ‘invisible illness’
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2016, Australian Burden of Disease Study – Impact and causes of illness and death in Australian 2011
5. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012, Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2012
Here at Urbis, we’re delighted to see all the initiatives underway, and are excited to continue to do our part in making cities more inclusive for everyone.
To learn more about how Urbis’ policy and economics experts are contributing, get in touch with one of the team.