The Property Accessibility Assessment Tool (PAAT) is a practical checklist that assesses key aspects of workplace design.
It helps entities identify and address barriers in the workplace to promote inclusivity for everyone including people with diverse sensory and cognitive needs.
Workplace inclusivity goes beyond physical access – it considers how environmental factors can influence people’s experiences such as:
- lighting
- acoustics
- spatial layout.
Read more about the PAAT and design features to consider.
Purpose
The PAAT provides a valuable baseline of an entity’s current inclusive elements, barriers and opportunities. It is a guide designed to be adjusted as required to support an entity’s needs.
The PAAT can be used to:
- inform fit-outs including establishing and updating reasonable adjustments, renovations or leasing of new premises
- align with any relevant action plans
- support current information on other resources and communications – such as websites, accessibility guides, maps.
Aim
The PAAT aims to:
- cover a range of dignified access considerations
- assess built environment features that influence how employees access, navigate and feel included in the workplace
- increase awareness of potential barriers affecting employees and visitors
- support the creation of workplaces where employees can feel safe, valued and access spaces easily.
Why it matters
Traditionally, accessibility standards have focused on physical disabilities, often leaving out sensory and cognitive differences experienced by neurodivergent people.
The PAAT addresses these unique needs. It provides guidance on what to consider and how to make adjustments that can better support people with disability including those with diverse sensory and cognitive needs.
Creating accessible environments and reducing barriers ensures everyone can participate fully and authentically. The PAAT encompasses universal design principles and intends to go beyond compliance to promote true inclusion.
Before starting
To get the most out of the assessment, the PAAT should be completed:
- with members of your entity's ability, disability or neurodiversity network
- in consultation with the wider employee workforce.
Including different perspectives and considering varied employee experiences will enhance education and improve the success of adopted solutions.
Read more about PAAT: team collaboration.
See an example of a completed PAAT template.
Access the PAAT template
The PAAT template is available to download and print. Get the PAAT template.
