CAMS + SPACE Overview

CAMS + SPACE Overview

Australia’s Communication‑Access System and Design Framework

CAMS and SPACE work together to form Australia’s first complete system for communication accessibility. CAMS provides the standards, structure, and audit system. SPACE provides the design logic, practice principles, and user‑experience model.

Together, they create a national, lived‑experience‑led framework for communication‑safe services, environments, and interactions.

What Is CAMS?

The Communication Accessibility Management System (CAMS) is Australia’s first communication‑access standard. It provides:

• Core Standard — universal requirements for communication accessibility

• Sector Annexes — tailored requirements for government, health, community venues, digital services, and more

• Audit & Certification System — tools to measure, improve, and demonstrate communication access

• Communication‑Safe Pathways — multimodal options for Deaf, HoH, non‑verbal, and neurodivergent users

• Lived‑Experience Governance — ensuring systems reflect real needs

CAMS is the national infrastructure for communication accessibility.

What Is SPACE?

The SPACE Framework is the design model that powers CAMS. SPACE stands for:

• Safety — communication‑safe environments

• Predictability — clear, consistent pathways

• Accessibility — multimodal communication options

• Clarity — plain language, low cognitive load

• Equity — equal access for all communication styles

SPACE is used in:

• service design

• staff practice

• digital communication

• venue accessibility

• policy development

• CAMS audits and certification

SPACE is the practical engine behind CAMS.

How CAMS and SPACE Work Together

CAMS defines what communication accessibility requires. SPACE defines how to design it.

Together, they create a complete system:

CAMS

SPACE

National standard

Design framework

Defines requirements

Defines practice

Sets benchmarks

Guides behaviour

Provides audits

Provides design logic

Sector annexes

Universal principles

Certification

Everyday implementation

CAMS is the structure. SPACE is the method. Together, they form a national communication‑access ecosystem.

Why CAMS Needs SPACE

Without SPACE, CAMS would be a technical standard without a human‑centred design model. SPACE ensures CAMS is:

• predictable

• neurodivergent‑safe

• multimodal

• low‑cognitive‑load

• lived‑experience‑aligned

SPACE turns CAMS from a standard into a practical, usable system.

Why SPACE Needs CAMS

Without CAMS, SPACE would be a design philosophy without:

• structure

• accountability

• auditability

• certification

• sector annexes

• national consistency

CAMS turns SPACE from a framework into a national standard.

The CAMS + SPACE Ecosystem

Together, CAMS and SPACE create a unified system that includes:

• CAMS Core Standard

• SPACE Framework

• Sector Annexes

• CAMS Audit Method

• CAMS Certification Levels

• Communication‑Safe Contact Pathways

• Neurodivergent‑Safe Design Principles

• Multimodal Communication Requirements

• Lived‑Experience Governance Model

This ecosystem is the first of its kind in Australia.

Who Uses CAMS + SPACE

The combined system is used by:

• government agencies

• councils and public venues

• churches and community organisations

• workplaces and customer‑service environments

• health and community services

• education providers

• digital service providers

• emergency services

Any organisation that communicates with the public can adopt CAMS + SPACE.

Benefits of CAMS + SPACE

Organisations gain:

• predictable, communication‑safe environments

• multimodal access for all users

• reduced communication‑related risk

• improved service quality

• stronger community trust

• alignment with human‑rights obligations

• readiness for future regulation

• a pathway to CAMS Certification

CAMS + SPACE is a future‑proof system for communication accessibility.

How to Begin

Organisations can start by:

• reviewing the CAMS Core Standard

• exploring the SPACE Framework

• requesting a CAMS Audit

• preparing for CAMS Certification

• implementing communication‑safe pathways

• accessing training and lived‑experience guidance

Signbridge provides support at every stage.