Organisational leadership

Decisions relating to equipment, plant, building works, consumables, staffing and other resources consider the safety and quality implications for patients.

Business decision-making considers access, inclusion and universal design 

Equity and good health outcomes can be achieved through business decision-making that is based on the concepts of inclusion and universal design.^25,[44] This will also support the health service organisation’s compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). 

The Australian Disability Network defines inclusion as the ‘consideration and incorporation of the needs of people with disability in all areas of an organisation’s operations.’ The Australian Disability Network provides information on inclusive organisations and the Quick 10 Assessment tool to help organisations understand their level of access and inclusion.

Universal design is an inclusive method or way of thinking when planning and making decisions. It can prevent the need for specialised technology or arrangements as it requires ‘products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible’.⁴⁴ Co-design and consultation are strategies that support inclusion and universal design methods. 

The Victorian Health Building Authority incorporated a Universal Design Policy into its infrastructure planning in 2021.

The Centre for Universal Design Australia Introduction to Universal Design course covers the classic definition and the eight goals of universal design.

Figure 1:  Eight Goals of Universal Design^[45]