Coogee Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney was the event location of the IAKS Australia & New Zealand afternoon panel discussion on 28 April 2022. One of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in Australia, Coogee SLSC reopened in December 2020 after a major upgrade by AJ+C, which earned a Distinction for Accessibility at the 2021 IOC IPC IAKS architecture prizes.
IAKS Vice President Yvette Audet welcomed designers and facility operators who exchanged their ideas on the different strategies and design decisions it takes to create more inclusive environments. On the panel were Kerry Turner (NSW Office for Sport), David Burns (Collective Leisure), Dominic Teakle (PCYC NSW), Kelsey Singh and Madeline Wood (both Disability Sports Australia).
Together with the audience the experts agreed that creating inclusive facilities help break down social barriers and can sometimes have a life-changing impact on the individual or the many. The design decisions require highly specialised knowledge and skill, and sometimes it takes challenging the status quo or putting yourself in another person’s shoes. Thoughtful, considered design can facilitate a more welcoming space, open to everyone regardless of ability, identity, cultural background, or age. The participants also enjoyed a brief facility tour and a fruitful networking event following the panel discussions.
Kerry Turner, David Burns, Yvette Audet, Kelsey Singh, Madeline Wood, Dominic Teakle
