More than 950,000 visitors enjoy the Auckland Botanic Gardens every year. Read about how their long-term relationship with Be. Lab has enabled the team behind this iconic destination to make accessibility business-as-usual and ensure the gardens are welcoming to all.
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The Auckland Botanic Garden’s accessibility journey started with a Be. Lab assessment in 2013. An eye-opening process for all involved, it was an opportunity for staff to put themselves in the shoes of access visitors.
They immediately made improvements, focusing on easy-to-implement but big-impact recommendations, such as improved car parking and signage, accessible drinking fountains and seating, and including accessibility information on their website.
Fast forward several years, and the Auckland Botanic Gardens team have reignited their focus on accessibility and are forging a deeper, more engaged relationship with Be. Lab.
Inspired to go beyond ticking boxes, the two organisations are working together to consider all aspects of the gardens through an accessibility lens, including physical, online, communications, and events.
Central to their success is holding staff workshops to increase understanding of accessibility, with employees challenged to introduce or change at least one thing in their role to improve accessibility.
Team leads also include accessibility as a discussion point at every meeting to keep it front of mind. And to maintain momentum, Be. Lab and the gardens team have regular catch-ups to review overall progress.
Auckland Botanic Gardens Visitor Services Manager, Micheline Newton, says they view Be. Lab as a steering committee, to both challenge and support their approach to accessibility. “It’s been really important to have a regular check-in where we discuss upcoming projects through an accessibility lens”, she explains.
Engaging staff in accessibility has led to many benefits, such as improved internal culture and increased creativity.
“Our team are more energised and actively seek out positive examples of accessible and inclusive experiences”, says Micheline. “They no longer see accessibility as an add-on, but part of their everyday. Accessibility is becoming business-as-usual”.
Encouraged to design accessibility into new products and experiences, they have recently opened a new accessible edible garden (see image above). Previously developed as raised planters, they now offer three options targeting older people and wheelchair users. Along with the gardens at different heights, they are sourcing accessible garden hand tools and kneelers to complement the accessibility features.
The team are also considering how a broader range of visitors can enjoy their events. The gardens partner for their Dinosaur event has joined their accessible journey by running two special events for children with autism and other access needs. Plus, a guided sculpture walk has been created for the visually impaired, focusing on texture and touch, and a digital sculpture trail featuring audio described commentary is also on offer.
There are exciting plans in the future, too, including the new Pa Harakeke Garden and Harakeke Flax Shelter, which Be. Lab is consulting on. And further improvements to the website are also in the pipeline, including an online accessible map.
With ten years of engagement with Be. Lab under their belt, the Auckland Botanic Gardens team have learned a great deal, but admit they’re still learning.
And that’s where Be. Lab come in!
Lauren Wetini, Be. Lab’s Accessibility Programme Lead, says it’s not about simply ticking boxes and suddenly becoming accessibility experts. “Being a truly accessible organisation is about learning, growing and collaborating with the access community and organisations like Be. Lab”, she explains.
So, what have the team at the Auckland Botanic Gardens learned so far?
Lauren says it’s refreshing to work with such a proactive and engaged organisation where accessibility isn't an add-on but has become business-as-usual.
“We love our relationship with the Auckland Botanic Gardens. It’s a prime example of how we would like to work with businesses and organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand on their accessibility journeys'. We’re excited to see what the future holds!”.