Vanessa Fahey - Access design with dignity

In this episode, hosts Lily Jiang and Daniel Moore speak with Vanessa Fahey, Director of Knisco Inclusive Access in Brisbane, about the transformative role of universal design and access consultancy in creating truly inclusive spaces. Knisco works across a broad range of projects, from aged care, independent living, and public transport to retail, health, education, residential, and government buildings, helping clients meet accessibility obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act while enhancing usability for all. Vanessa is not a registered architect and began her career as an occupational therapist, working directly with people with disabilities. This experience shaped her deep commitment to removing barriers in the built environment and led her to become an Accredited Access Consultant (Accredited Member of the ACAA). With more than a decade in the construction industry, she brings a unique perspective grounded in the interplay between people, their environments, and the activities they undertake, a perspective that enables her to bridge design aspirations with practical, dignified, and equitable access outcomes. The conversation explores how universal design principles can be embedded from the earliest project stages, the evolving expectations of Australia's accessibility standards, and the value of proactive collaboration between architects, designers, and access consultants. Vanessa shares real-world insights on balancing creative vision with regulatory compliance, building trust with clients, and achieving efficient, cost-effective solutions without compromising inclusivity. Our sponsor Brickworks also produces architecture podcasts hosted by Tim Ross. You can find 'The Art of Living', 'Architects Abroad, and 'The Power of Two', at brickworks.com.au or your favourite podcast platform. If you'd like to show your support please rate, review, and

You can listen to Vanessa Fahey - Access design with dignity online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Vanessa Fahey - Access design with dignity is an episode from Hearing Architecture by Daniel Moore.

This episode is 48:49 long.

This episode was published on Aug 14, 2025.

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