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Get started straight away with practical tips, tools, and guidance to make your spaces more accessible.

Top Tips for Inclusive Spaces

Creating an inclusive space is about thoughtful design that welcomes and supports everyone. Here are 12 practical tips to help make your environment accessible, safe, and comfortable for all users:

  1. Ensure clear routes throughout the site are at least 1,200mm wide with no steps.

  2. Make entrances visible from a distance to aid wayfinding.

  3. Ensure the main entrance is accessible and step-free. If there’s an alternative entrance, provide clear signage directing people to it.

  4. Use consistent wayfinding signage at every decision point.

  5. Design signage with strong colour contrast and easy-to-read fonts.

  6. Apply colour contrast to key features like bollards, light switches, whiteboards, door architraves, and handles.

  7. Make glass doors clearly visible with decals or markings.

  8. Remove hazards such as bollards, rubbish bins, and hand sanitisers from accessible routes—or make sure they have colour contrast against the background.

  9. Add colour contrast at the start and end of handrails to improve visibility.

  10. Fit stairs with nosings to clearly define edges.

  11. Provide multiple types of furniture so people have options. Include seating that has armrests and backrests for comfort and support.

  12. Maintain at least 1,200mm x 1,200mm clear space in front of doorways, cabinets, benches, and at the top and bottom of stairs and ramps.

If you’re looking for more tailored guidance on making your physical site inclusive, we offer support at every level. Whether you want easy wins with practical, low-cost changes like those in this list, smart upgrades that deliver a big impact within a mid-range budget, or expert advice for renovations and new builds to create fully inclusive spaces from the ground up, our team is here to provide the advice and solutions you need.

Safe and Accessible

Creating a safe and accessible environment means ensuring everyone can respond effectively in an emergency. This includes clear alerting systems, accessible evacuation routes, and well-positioned safety equipment.

Alerting Devices Recommendations

  • Provide both audible and visual fire alarm systems to alert people who are Deaf, hearing impaired, or working in noisy environments. Ensure systems meet NZS 4512 requirements.

  • Manual activation devices (e.g., break-glass call points) should be:

    • Easy to operate by people with limited strength, dexterity, or cognitive impairments

    • Positioned 900mm to 1,200mm above the floor

    • At least 500mm from internal corners

    • Have a clear floor space of 1,200mm x 1,200mm nearby

Accessible Egress Recommendations

  • Plan safe evacuation for people who cannot use stairs. Engage a fire evacuation consultant to develop an effective strategy.

  • Include access needs questions in visitor sign-in processes. Notify hosts or fire marshals of visitors requiring assistance.

  • Recognize that some people with hidden disabilities (e.g., Deaf, neurodiverse) may need support or reassurance during evacuations.

  • Provide areas of refuge on upper-level landings or lobbies that:

    • Are protected from heat, smoke, and fire

    • Are visible to emergency personnel

    • Located away from stair doors and emergency routes

    • Large enough for multiple people, their mobility aids, or assistance animals

    • Have continuously monitored two-way communication (e.g., emergency phone)

    • Include clear signage with the International Symbol of Access (ISA) and photoluminescence

    • Are shown on all emergency evacuation plans

  • If lifts are not evacuation lifts, provide areas of refuge on all levels except ground floor with the above features.

  • Provide an evacuation chair for each stair:

    • Stored at the top level, not obstructing stairs or refuge areas

    • Easily accessible and removable

    • Clearly signed on each floor

    • Staff or volunteers trained in safe use

    • Usage instructions with images posted nearby

  • Design fire exits to be fully accessible on both sides for wheeled equipment (wheelchairs, prams, walkers).

  • If step-free egress isn’t possible, ensure:

    • Level threshold at door

    • Minimum 1,200mm x 1,200mm landing beyond door swing on both sides

    • Accessible ramp from landing to ground

    • Accessible route away from building

    • Directional signage to nearest emergency assembly zone

  • Exterior pathways from fire exits must be fully accessible.

  • Emergency assembly zones should be located on accessible routes with accessible spaces and clearly signed with the ISA.

  • Ensure adequate lighting throughout emergency egress routes, avoiding shadows or dark spots.

Safety Equipment Recommendations

  • Essential safety equipment (first aid kits, fire extinguishers) should be:

    • Clearly identified and easy to access from seated or standing positions

    • Positioned 900mm to 1,200mm above floor

    • At least 500mm from internal corners (600mm preferred)

    • Have clear adjacent floor space of 1,200mm x 1,200mm

  • Display emergency procedures publicly, including:

    • Braille and QR codes linking to digital formats

    • Versions tailored for specific needs (mobility, Deaf/hearing impaired, Blind/vision impaired)

    • Pictorial formats for people who cannot read English or have cognitive access needs

  • Include accessible emergency egress routes on all evacuation maps, using the ISA.

  • Post emergency procedure signage at heights between 1,400mm and 1,700mm above floor level.

  • Consider providing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) onsite and training staff in its use.

Safe and Accessible Summary

A safe and accessible environment means everyone can evacuate quickly and confidently in an emergency. Providing both audible and visual alerts, clear and accessible evacuation routes with refuge areas, and well-positioned safety equipment ensures no one is left behind.

Training staff, planning for diverse access needs, and clearly communicating emergency procedures create a safer space for all visitors and staff alike.

Top Tips for Inclusive Service

Customer Service

Great customer service is one of the most powerful ways to create a positive, welcoming experience for everyone—especially people with access needs. It doesn’t require expensive changes or expert knowledge. Often, it’s the simple things—like being approachable, informed, and ready to help—that make the biggest difference.

  • Train staff on your organisation’s accessible features and facilities so they can confidently support customers with access needs.

  • Make sure all staff are aware of any hazards or potential hazards so they can help customers with access needs use the space safely.

  • Use staff name badges, uniforms, or desktop nameplates to help customers easily identify who they can approach for assistance. (See the Signage section for text format tips.)

  • Welcome support animals such as guide dogs, so their owners feel confident entering and using your facility.

Assistive Equipment

Providing assistive equipment is a simple but powerful way to make your space more inclusive. These tools can remove barriers and help people feel comfortable, supported, and able to participate fully in what you offer. With a bit of planning and staff awareness, it’s easy to include this kind of support in your everyday service.

  • Provide mobility equipment—such as a wheelchair—for people with temporary injuries, low stamina, or mobility impairments to move more comfortably around your business.

  • Consider installing a hearing loop to support people who use hearing aids. Hearing loops send sound directly to hearing aids set to the ‘T’ (telecoil) setting, helping to reduce background noise and improve clarity.

  • Train staff on how to use any assistive technology you provide (such as wheelchairs, hearing loops, or height-adjustable counters) so they can respond to access enquiries with confidence.

  • Regularly check and maintain assistive equipment to ensure it’s safe, clean, and ready to use when needed.

Guide and Assistance Dogs

Guide, hearing, and assistance dogs are essential for the independence, safety, and confidence of many people with access needs. Creating a space that welcomes these working animals shows respect for their role and supports their handlers to fully participate in your environment. With a few thoughtful design features, you can make a big difference to their experience.

  • Provide a dedicated grassed area for assistance animals (e.g. guide, hearing, mobility, and assistance dogs). Locate the area close to the building entrance, next to an accessible route, and reachable independently by the person and their animal—including users of mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walking frames.

  • Include seating nearby for handlers with access needs.

  • Install a designated animal waste bin.

  • Ensure all fittings (such as bins, water taps, and signage) have strong colour contrast with their background to support visibility.

  • If practical, provide access to a water supply.

Inclusive Service Summary

Inclusive service doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s about creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for everyone. Small actions, like friendly and informed customer service, access to assistive equipment, and thoughtful support for guide and assistance dogs, can make a big difference in someone’s experience.

When your team is trained, your equipment is maintained, and your environment is ready to welcome all kinds of customers, you’re not just meeting access needs—you’re creating a place where people feel respected, valued, and included.

Accessible Online

Website

We know that accessible information on websites is one of the most important enablers of access. Many people, especially those with access needs, visit your website first to find the information they need before deciding to visit in person.

Making your website more inclusive can be straightforward and impactful. Here are some practical ways to improve access online:

Show your commitment

Make visual content accessible

  • Use alt text for all photos and images. Alt text describes visuals for people who are blind, have low vision, or use screen readers.

  • Add closed captions to all video content. Captions support people with hearing access needs and others who prefer reading text (e.g. people with autism or ADHD).

  • Provide key information in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) videos—especially about your facilities, location, or booking process.

  • Increase colour contrast between text and background. A minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 is recommended. Use dark text on a light background for best readability.

  • Avoid flashing or blinking images that change more than three times per second—these can trigger seizures or headaches for some people.

Make contact details and communication easy

  • Display your contact information (phone number, email, address) clearly on every page, such as in the footer, so it's easy to find with screen readers or limited navigation.

  • Offer multiple ways to communicate, such as phone, email, and live chat, so people can choose what works best for them.

Keep your content simple and your site easy to use

  • Use plain, concise language. This helps people who are neurodiverse, use English as a second language, or have low literacy.

  • Ensure your site is easy to navigate:

    • Use a simple menu structure

    • Make sure the site can be used with a keyboard (important for screen readers)

    • Clearly label links (e.g. “Book an appointment” instead of “Click here”)

Create a dedicated accessibility page

  • Include a clearly labelled Accessibility page, linked from your home page and main menu. Use the International Symbol of Access (ISA) for visibility.

  • Your accessibility page can outline the accessible features of your site or facility, including:

    • Accessible car parking

    • Accessible toilets

    • Mobility equipment available (e.g. wheelchairs or prams)

    • Descriptions and photos of accessible facilities

Maps and downloadable information

  • Provide a detailed map on your website and make it available onsite. (See Inclusive Information for more about maps.)

  • Avoid using only PDFs—many are not compatible with screen readers. Provide Word documents or web-based alternatives when possible.

Website Summary

Your website is often the first place people go to decide whether they can visit, attend, or engage with your organisation. Making it accessible means more people can find the information they need, feel confident about what to expect, and connect with you in a way that works for them.

Simple actions—like using alt text, adding captions, improving contrast, and offering multiple contact options—can make a big difference. A dedicated accessibility page helps people plan ahead and feel welcomed before they even arrive.

Accessible websites aren’t just good practice—they’re good for people and good for business.

Maps

Maps help everyone, but especially people with access needs, plan their visit, reduce anxiety, and navigate your site with confidence. Providing clear, accessible maps online and onsite makes your space more welcoming and easier to use.

Location Maps

  • Provide a map on your website, brochures, and other materials showing where your business is located.

  • Include key features such as:

    • Parking areas (especially accessible parking)

    • Closest public transport stops

    • Main entrances

  • If relevant, note multiple parking options or different entrance types.

  • These maps support people with anxiety, planning needs, or those meeting others onsite.

Site Maps

  • Offer a detailed site map both online and onsite—available as:

    • A downloadable file (PDF, Word, or web page)

    • A printed brochure

    • A fixed signboard

  • Site maps should clearly show important information such as:

    • The most accessible route (marked with a contrasting colour and the International Symbol of Access)

    • Distances or estimated travel time

    • Terrain types, such as stairs or slopes

    • Key facilities like toilets, car parks, seating, lifts, or accessible rooms

    • Specific features relevant to your site (e.g. accessible exhibition rooms or amenities)

Map Signage and Design

  • Install fixed map boards at key decision points on the site (e.g. entrances, major junctions).

  • Include a ‘You Are Here’ marker.

  • Install maps:

    • At an angle of 20 to 30 degrees from horizontal

    • With the bottom edge at a minimum of 900mm from the ground

    • With raised tactile elements between 1,100mm and 1,600mm height

    • Well-lit, but avoid glare

    • With a key located at the bottom left

    • Oriented to match the layout of the site or building

Digital Options

  • Add a QR code to physical maps that links to a digital version online. This helps people who use screen readers, magnification, or prefer to plan on their phone.

  • Ensure your digital maps follow the same accessibility guidance as your website.

Promote Your Accessibility

  • Boost your visibility by listing your organisation on Access Maps—an interactive digital map directory that helps people with disabilities find accessible places, spaces, and experiences around Aotearoa.

Maps Summary

Accessible maps help everyone feel more confident navigating your space—especially those with mobility, sensory, or cognitive access needs. By offering clear, visible, and well-placed maps both online and onsite, you reduce barriers and empower visitors to plan ahead and explore independently.

Inclusive Information

Accessible, clear, and well-designed information is key to welcoming everyone. Whether through marketing materials, signage, or booking systems, thoughtful communication makes your organisation easier to use and enjoy for people with a wide range of needs.

Marketing Materials

  • Use strong colour contrast—for example, black text on a white background—to make text easier to read for people with visual impairments. Avoid colours that blend together.

  • Use a minimum font size of 12-point for better readability.

  • Write in clear, plain English, avoiding jargon and complex sentences.

  • Use sentence case (not all caps) for headings and descriptions; word shapes are easier to recognize this way.

  • Avoid italics in body text as they can be harder to read.

  • Add descriptive images and icons to support understanding, especially for people who are neurodiverse or use English as a second language. For example, use male/female icons for toilets.

  • Avoid placing text over images or busy backgrounds to maintain clear contrast.

  • Print on matte paper rather than glossy to reduce glare and improve visibility.

  • Include a QR code linking to digital versions of the materials so people can access them on their own devices.

  • Provide key contact details (email, phone) clearly, so people can reach you in their preferred way.

  • Where relevant, include a space to ask about accessibility needs (e.g., wheelchair access, dietary needs, interpreter requests).

  • Offer alternative formats, such as:

    • Large print versions

    • Translations into alternative languages

    • Digital formats (Word docs, accessible PDFs, HTML) for screen readers and magnification

    • Braille options (contact Graeme Brazier Print Management and Design: www.gbltd.co.nz)

Information Delivery

  • Consider offering tours in multiple languages, including New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

  • Provide on-site language interpreters for non-English speakers if possible.

  • Use QR codes on signage and printed materials to connect visitors to accessible information on their smartphones. This is especially useful in busy environments like museums, allowing visitors to learn at their own pace and avoid crowds.

  • Offer alternative audio/visual formats so people who are Deaf, Blind, or have sensory impairments can access key info.

Bookings

  • Include a space during the booking process to ask about any accessibility requirements (e.g., wheelchair access, guide dogs, dietary needs, interpreters). This helps staff prepare and provide the best experience.

  • Offer multiple booking options (in person, online, phone) so people can choose the method that suits them best.

Inclusive Information Summary

Clear, accessible information helps everyone feel welcome and confident when engaging with your organisation. By using strong contrast, simple language, and multiple formats—including digital options and QR codes—you make your materials easier to read and understand for people with diverse needs.

Offering tours in different languages, alternative audio/visual formats, and accessible booking options ensures you meet a wide range of accessibility requirements. Asking about access needs upfront lets your staff provide tailored, respectful service.

Inclusive information isn’t just good practice—it creates a positive experience that benefits everyone.