Why DDA Compliant Street Furniture Is Important


DDA refers to the ‘Disability Discrimination Act 1992’ which covers all aspects of disabled access in public places so that handicapped persons are not disadvantaged in using street furniture. It against the law for public places to be inaccessible to people with a disability. DDA includes indoor and outdoor furniture.

Certified access consultants use the standards as guide to work to but acknowledge that minor non-conformances can be insignificant for particular sites. Astra Street Furniture is Australian designed and Australian made, and is fully compliant with DDA and Australian Standards.

What is DDA compliant furniture? DDA applies as follows with Astra Street Furniture:

  • Park Bench (seat) with armrests-
  • Backrest angle is to be a maximum of 105°
  • Backrest height off the ground is 750-790mm
  • Armrest height off the seat is 220-300mm
  • Seat height off the ground is generally 450-520mm

Astra Street Furniture that complies with DDA includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • London Seat
  • London Table
  • Madrid Seat
  • Paris Seat

Other things to consider in relation to DDA are –

  • Benches without backrests do not comply (they are no different to a low wall or concrete log for sitting on).
  • Bins and Wheelie Bin Enclosures comply with DDA if they are strategically placed in positions that do not encroach on the path of travel of pedestrians (disabled access) along walkways.