How do I know if my building or space is compliant?

Check the latest version of the standard/guideline (e.g., AS/NZS 1428 has parts and amendments) For India, consult the RPwD Act rules and the Harmonised Guidelines document. Conduct an accessibility audit by a multidisciplinary team (including persons with disabilities) rather than simply ticking checkboxes. Verify physical features (ramp slopes, tactile indicators, sightlines, signage) and functionality (ease of use, independence of movement, wayfinding).

What are the five accessibility standards?

While accessibility standards vary by country and context, the five most recognized accessibility standards worldwide include AS/NZS 1428 (Australia & New Zealand) – Design for Access and Mobility; ensures physical accessibility in buildings and public spaces. Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility 2021 (India) – Promotes universal design for inclusive infrastructure, transport, and public facilities. ADA Standards for Accessible Design (USA) – Defines design rules for public buildings, facilities, and outdoor spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act. BS 8300 (United Kingdom) – British Standard for inclusive design, covering the built environment and public access. ISO 21542:2021 (International) – Global standard for accessibility and usability of the built environment.

Accessibility Standards? AS/NZS 1428 vs Indian Guidelines

Q: What is accessibility standards?

Accessibility standards are formal guidelines, codes or regulations designed to ensure that buildings, infrastructure, services and products are usable by everyone — including people with disabilities, seniors, children and others with special needs. They set measurable design requirements (like ramp slope, corridor width, tactile indicators) to remove barriers to access and use.

Q: Who must comply with accessibility standards in India and Australia?

In India: Organisations, public and private buildings, transport systems, and public infrastructure must comply under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) and associated rules. In Australia/New Zealand: The standard AS/NZS 1428 (Design for Access and Mobility) sets out requirements for new buildings, facilities, and public spaces.

Q: Are the Indian guidelines mandatory or just advisory?

The Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021 are issued under the RPwD Act framework and carrying legal weight when referenced in Rules. For example, the RPwD (Amendment) Rules, 2023 incorporate these guidelines. However, implementation and enforcement vary and mere sign-off on a checklist is not sufficient — true accessibility requires functional usability.

Q: Do the guidelines only apply to new constructions, or also to existing buildings/retrofitting?

Both. The standards/guidelines cover new works and also specify retrofitting or upgrading of existing facilities “where technically feasible, safe and economically viable”. For example, India’s guidelines under Section 41 of the RPwD Act mention retrofitting old transport modes. Thus existing buildings should also consider accessibility rather than only new ones.

Bhavin Ghelani

Tactile Tiles
4, 11, 2025

Accessibility Standards are rules that make public spaces safe, easy, and comfortable for everyone, including people with disabilities, seniors, and children. They guide how ramps, tactile indicators, signs, and pathways should be designed so everyone can move independently and safely. In short, accessibility ensures equal access and inclusion in everyday environments.

Both Australia and India follow different accessibility frameworks but share the same goal — creating inclusive, barrier-free spaces. Australia’s AS 1428 standard focuses on accessibility in buildings and public areas, while India’s Harmonized Guidelines 2021 promote universal design for all users. Together, they highlight the importance of designing safe, inclusive, and accessible environments for every person.

Why are accessibility standards important?

These standards exist to ensure that people with disabilities have the same level of access and independence as everyone else. They help designers, builders, and businesses create environments that are safe, inclusive, and easy to navigate — whether it’s a public park, a shopping center, or an office building.

Accessibility standards cover a wide range of considerations — from how wide a doorway should be, to the height of counters, the slope of ramps, and even the design of tactile ground surface indicators that help people with low vision navigate safely.

Overview of Australian Accessibility Standards (AS/NZS 1428)

AS/NZS 1428 is the foundation of Australian Accessibility Standards, a set of guidelines that ensure all public and commercial spaces are safe, inclusive, and usable by people with disabilities.It provides clear design rules for architects, builders, and urban planners to create barrier-free environments that meet national accessibility requirements.

What is AS/NZS 1428?

AS/NZS 1428 (Design for Access and Mobility) is a set of Australian and New Zealand Accessibility Standards that define how buildings, pathways, and facilities should be designed to support universal access. The standard covers everything from ramps, tactile indicators, signage, and doorways to circulation spaces, ensuring that every person — regardless of ability — can move independently and safely.

Purpose of AS/NZS 1428 Accessibility Standards

The main goal of AS/NZS 1428 is to eliminate physical barriers in public and commercial environments. It helps architects, designers, and builders create inclusive spaces that comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the National Construction Code (NCC).

Key Compliance Requirements in AS/NZS 1428

Below is an overview of the main compliance requirements under AS/NZS 1428:

Indian Accessibility Guidelines Explained

What are the accessibility standards in India?

India follows the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility (2021), a comprehensive framework designed to make public spaces, buildings, and transport systems accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and children. These guidelines are issued under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which legally mandates accessible compliance across the country.

The goal of these Indian Accessibility Guidelines is simple- to create inclusive, barrier-free environments where every citizen can move, travel, and participate equally. They apply to all types of infrastructure, from sidewalks and metro stations to offices, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings.

Key Focus Areas in Indian Accessibility Standards

The 2021 guidelines cover accessibility across public infrastructure, transportation, and the built environment. Here’s a structured overview for quick understanding:

How Do Indian Accessibility Guidelines Ensure Inclusive Design?

The Harmonised Guidelines (2021) take a universal design approach — meaning they aim to make spaces usable by all people, without the need for adaptation.

They emphasize:

Tactile and visual cues for people with vision impairments
Smooth and step-free access routes for wheelchair users
Audible and visible alerts for people with hearing challenges
Ergonomic layouts that benefit children, the elderly, and people with temporary injuries

Conclusion: Accessibility Standards AS/NZS 1428 vs Indian Guidelines

Following Accessibility Standards is the foundation of inclusive design, ensuring buildings, pathways, and public spaces are safe and usable for everyone — including people with disabilities, seniors, and children. By following AS/NZS 1428 in Australia and the Harmonised Guidelines 2021 in India, architects, planners, and business owners can create barrier-free, people-first environments that meet compliance and build trust. These standards promote equality, safety, and independence — turning every project into a step toward a more inclusive future. Want to make your projects fully accessible? Learn more about AS/NZS 1428 and Indian Accessibility Guidelines today and start building spaces that welcome everyone.

Accessibility standards are formal guidelines, codes or regulations designed to ensure that buildings, infrastructure, services and products are usable by everyone — including people with disabilities, seniors, children and others with special needs. They set measurable design requirements (like ramp slope, corridor width, tactile indicators) to remove barriers to access and use.

In India: Organisations, public and private buildings, transport systems, and public infrastructure must comply under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) and associated rules.

In Australia/New Zealand: The standard AS/NZS 1428 (Design for Access and Mobility) sets out requirements for new buildings, facilities, and public spaces.

The Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021 are issued under the RPwD Act framework and carrying legal weight when referenced in Rules. For example, the RPwD (Amendment) Rules, 2023 incorporate these guidelines.

However, implementation and enforcement vary and mere sign-off on a checklist is not sufficient — true accessibility requires functional usability.

India’s guidelines adopt a “universal design” approach — inclusive of the elderly, children, persons with disabilities, across infrastructure, transport, built environment.

Regulatory context: Australia has specific standards linked to building codes; India’s guidelines are evolving and cover more diverse infrastructure types, but enforcement is still developing.

Check the latest version of the standard/guideline (e.g., AS/NZS 1428 has parts and amendments)
For India, consult the RPwD Act rules and the Harmonised Guidelines document.
Conduct an accessibility audit by a multidisciplinary team (including persons with disabilities) rather than simply ticking checkboxes.
Verify physical features (ramp slopes, tactile indicators, sightlines, signage) and functionality (ease of use, independence of movement, wayfinding).

Both. The standards/guidelines cover new works and also specify retrofitting or upgrading of existing facilities “where technically feasible, safe and economically viable”. For example, India’s guidelines under Section 41 of the RPwD Act mention retrofitting old transport modes.

Thus existing buildings should also consider accessibility rather than only new ones.

While accessibility standards vary by country and context, the five most recognized accessibility standards worldwide include
AS/NZS 1428 (Australia & New Zealand) – Design for Access and Mobility; ensures physical accessibility in buildings and public spaces.
Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility 2021 (India) – Promotes universal design for inclusive infrastructure, transport, and public facilities.
ADA Standards for Accessible Design (USA) – Defines design rules for public buildings, facilities, and outdoor spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
BS 8300 (United Kingdom) – British Standard for inclusive design, covering the built environment and public access.
ISO 21542:2021 (International) – Global standard for accessibility and usability of the built environment.

Bhavin Ghelani

November 4,2025

Mr. Bhavin Ghelani is an engineer and entrepreneur passed his engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). Since his adolescence, he has believed in society’s upbringing, and he has always desired to offer some value to society. He also has a religious side too. When in 2015, Our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi started the Accessible India Campaign, also known as the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan for all the disabled peoples in our country. He saw this initiative as a fantastic opportunity and after lots of deep research, he found the concept of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators which was being already practiced for Visually impaired peoples in countries like, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America, and many other developed countries. So at that point, the idea of the formation of ‘Eminent Tactiles’ under ‘Eminent Overseas’ came into his mind. Slowly & Steadily it has become India’s first and foremost manufacturer, supplier & exporter of Tactile Ground Surface Indicator products and under his vision, more range of products kept on developing so far.

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