Over the last five years, Auckland Council has worked with Be. Lab to improve the accessibility of their parks across several local boards. Read about their latest accessibility achievements, and learn why embracing the power of online information and maps has been a game-changer.
Council budgets have been stretched since Covid hit our shores, but Auckland Council has continued to make improving the accessibility of their parks a priority.
Since our last update in March there have been a number of achievements worth celebrating, including:
Although most of our recommendations are focused on improving the physical accessibility of parks, another key suggestion is providing online information and maps so access citizens can prepare for their visit.
Auckland Council have taken on board our advice, and now more than 40 parks across Auckland offer such information, with more in the pipeline.
Auckland Council Parks & Places Specialist Tracey Hodder says providing useful information online is a simple step that local boards can take to improve the overall experience of their parks. And with budgets restricted over the last few years, it makes sense to focus on this low cost and quick win.
“Although physical improvements are the ultimate goal, producing online accessible maps is relatively easy and cost-effective to roll out”, she explains. “And we’ve been surprised by how much it means to people with access needs or disabilities”.
We hear it all the time – websites with clear and easy-to-find accessibility information arm access citizens with the knowledge they need to participate positively in business, public activities and spaces.
Be. Lab’s 2020 Access Survey revealed that 52% of the access community can’t take part in public activities like visiting their local parks due to inaccessibility. The same survey showed that one of the top enablers for participation in public activities is accessible information on websites. (Read the 2020 Access Survey findings here).
Be. Lab Accessibility Coach and access citizen Angelo Samuels has first-hand experience of the importance of online information. “As someone with a disability, I need to prepare when I go somewhere so I know what to expect. So, the more knowledge I have about accessible features, the better”, he explains.
When visiting a park, information and accessible maps help those with access needs prepare and plan for their trip. Accessible maps show things like:
Auckland Council Parks & Places Specialist Thomas Dixon says that providing clear accessibility information is crucial. “Detailed and useful information benefits everyone, not just those with access needs”, he says.
With accessibility now at the forefront for an increasing number of local boards, Thomas and Tracey believe Auckland parks will look vastly different for the access community in the future. And with the great example they are setting, the hope is that councils across the rest of Aoteoroa will follow suit.
Tracey sums it up:
“The access community is much broader than what people think, and accessibility benefits a very broad group. From parents and children with disabilities, toddlers, parents with pushchairs, and grandparents, everyone has the right to enjoy our parks. Designing for accessibility is designing for everyone”.
We couldn’t agree more!