ACAA is a national membership-based professional association for people working to achieve accessibility of the built environment for all. It is the peak national body for access consultancy in Australia and a major partner in advancing equity of built environmental accessibility for people with a disability.
ACAA emerged from a national forum at ACROD House in Canberra in 1995. The forum, which was attended by representatives of government, disability service providers, disability consumer organisations, and industry, explored ways of advancing greater equity of built-environmental accessibility. The formation of ACAA was one of those ways.
Since the Disability Discrimination Act was introduced, Local, State and Commonwealth Governments and Agencies, the building industry, and owners and managers of premises and facilities have increasingly been seeking expert advice on proper accessibility for people with a disability. Consistent, current and accurate advice is needed and ACAA was established to help ensure that this will be available.
Incorporated in 2000, ACAA is the outcome of an extensive and lengthy consultation throughout Australia with key stakeholder groups and individuals in the disability field and industry. Bodies such as the Australian Institute of Architects, Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) have participated in the establishment of the Association.
