Product Development

What is Product Development accessibility consulting?

Product Development accessibility consulting helps manufacturers, designers, suppliers and project teams assess products through the lens of accessibility, usability and inclusion. Access Studio reviews products intended for use in the built environment and provides advice on how they may perform for people with diverse mobility, vision, hearing, sensory, cognitive and physical needs.

A Product Development Report can review the design, dimensions, operation, fixtures, controls, usability, installation context and interaction points of a product. Depending on the product, the assessment may also consider compatibility with accessible bathrooms, health environments, specialist accommodation, commercial buildings, public facilities, aged care, education settings or other built environment contexts.

The aim is to help improve product design before it reaches the market, before it is specified across projects, or before it is installed in environments where accessibility and usability are critical.

Why would I need Product Development advice?

Product Development accessibility advice may be needed where a new or existing product is intended to support accessible, inclusive or universal design outcomes. It is particularly useful for sanitaryware, tapware, showers, toilets, grab rails, fixtures, fittings, furniture, hardware, signage, controls, appliances or other products that people physically interact with.

Small design decisions can make a significant difference to usability. Reach ranges, clearance, contrast, force, grip, control placement, stability, intuitive operation and maintenance requirements can all affect whether a product is practical for a wide range of users.

Early Product Development advice can help reduce redesign costs, support specification decisions, strengthen market appeal and demonstrate a genuine commitment to accessible product design.

What our Product Development advice may include

  • Review of product drawings, prototypes, specifications or installation details.
  • Assessment of accessibility, usability, operation and interaction points.
  • Identification of barriers for users with mobility, vision, hearing, sensory or cognitive needs.
  • Recommendations for product design modifications or alternative approaches.
  • Consideration of relevant Australian Standards, NCC requirements and common built environment applications.
  • Practical commentary to assist manufacturers, designers, architects and specifiers.

How Access Studio supports your project

Our access consultants combine technical knowledge with practical experience across sectors, allowing us to review products in the context of how they will actually be used. We provide clear feedback that helps product teams make informed design decisions and improve accessibility outcomes before wider release or specification.

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Performance
Solution Reports

Develops alternative compliance solutions to address NCC accessibility requirements where Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions cannot be met or are not the most appropriate pathway.

Design Evaluation
Reports

Reviews project documentation against relevant access requirements, identifying compliance risks and practical opportunities to improve accessibility and usability.

CPTED
Assessments

Applies Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles to identify safety risks and recommend practical strategies for safer, more welcoming environments.

CPD
Presentations

Delivers practical accessibility training and Continuing Professional Development presentations tailored to built environment professionals and project teams.

Construction
Sign-Offs

Provides independent verification that completed works align with applicable disability access requirements, approved documentation and relevant accessibility standards.

Accessibility
Audits

Assesses existing buildings, facilities and sites to identify access barriers, compliance issues and practical opportunities for improvement.

Town Planning
Reports

Provides accessibility advice to support planning submissions, addressing key access considerations relevant to the proposed development and approval pathway.

Access
Management Plans

Develops practical strategies for managing accessibility across buildings, facilities, sites and operating environments.

Changing Places
Assessments

Assesses Changing Places facilities against relevant requirements, including layout, equipment, circulation and usability for people with complex support needs.

SDA
Assessments

Assesses Specialist Disability Accommodation across all SDA design categories to support compliant, practical and appropriate housing outcomes.