ER104 Making New Zealand’s built environment inclusive and accessible for everyone (2025)

Accessibility to public places continues to be a challenge for many people in Aotearoa New Zealand, despite previous attempts to improve this aspect of our built environment. The project took a more fulsome approach to change. Researchers investigated key challenges that people with disabilities encounter and examined the existing knowledge gap of building practitioners.

This project aims for more accessible and inclusive public buildings, while improving awareness and practice by the construction industry. These outcomes will improve the lives of the 24% of New Zealanders who live with a disability.

The project was led by Massey University with research support from Auckland University of Technology. In collaboration with an accessibility advisory panel, the researchers measured the compliance with accessibility regulations in public buildings. It will also assess the knowledge of building practitioners on accessibility requirements.

Using these findings, they co-designed solutions for improving accessibility and identify drivers for change. The research results, guidance and recommendations were shared with government agencies, the construction industry, tourism businesses, and the disability and research communities. As part of the project outputs, a quick factsheet was developed to provide a quick glance to essential considerations to cater for disabled occupants.