Accessibility Work Programme
Our Accessibility Work Programme includes a mix of short-term and long-term projects.
Current work to improve accessibility
Our projects aim to address accessibility barriers in New Zealand and create real, meaningful change for disabled people. We are:
- establishing an Accessibility Advisory Group
- enhancing the Alternate Formats Service
- refreshing the Accessibility Charter
- adding more resources to the supported decision-making website Whaimana – Support My Decisions external URL .
We are also helping other parts of government make changes, including:
- supporting Standards New Zealand to review NZS 4121:2001 Design for Access and Mobility – Buildings and Associated Facilities
- working with the Ministry of Transport, local government, and businesses to improve mobility parking
- talking with the Department of Internal Affairs about identification for disability assist dogs
- supporting emergency management organisations to improve their planning and response for disabled people.
Actions coming out of the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 and the New Zealand Sign Language Strategy will also help shape the Accessibility Work Programme.
Issues and opportunities across key accessibility areas
Whaikaha developed papers to support discussions with the Accessibility Advisory Group and decisions about future projects in the Accessibility Work Programme. They summarise existing research and evidence as well as identify opportunities for Whaikaha in 4 key areas:
- emergency management
- transport
- digital and information
- the built environment.
Research papers
Built environment accessibility issues and opportunities paper (DOCX 187KB)
Digital and information accessibility issues and opportunities paper (DOCX 109KB)
Transport accessibility issues and opportunities research paper (DOCX 106KB)