New Outdoors Accessibility Design Guidelines have been launched to improve access to outdoor recreation spaces for people with impairments and accessibility needs.These guidelines were developed by Recreation Aotearoa in collaboration with an Outdoors Accessibility Working Group.

Recreation Aotearoa Chief Executive Sarah Murray said, “These guidelines were developed in response to a clear need identified by our members and the disability community. Last year, alongside the Department of Conservation, we surveyed people with lived experience of disability. 72% of respondents agreed ‘a lot’ or ‘totally’ that they would like to take part in outdoor recreation more often. Aotearoa has an outstanding natural environment, and everyone should have the opportunity to access and enjoy it.”

The Outdoors Accessibility Design Guidelines provide clear, practical advice for everyone involved in creating, maintaining, or advocating for accessible outdoor spaces. They focus on improving access to places like beaches, lakes, parks, and trails, helping to make outdoor recreation more inclusive.

Key topics include:

“Over time, the guidelines will help trail users make informed choices about which trails best suit their needs. Trails developed and maintained using these guidelines will have consistent accessibility information, making it easier for everyone to plan their outdoor activities. This means better experiences for all trail users, including disabled people, whānau with prams, and older adults,” says Sarah.

“While not all outdoor spaces can be fully accessible, these guidelines help identify opportunities to enhance outdoor accessibility within environmental constraints. More importantly, they serve as a starting point for meaningful collaboration with the disability community to improve outdoor accessibility across Aotearoa”, she said.

Find out more about the new Outdoor Accessibility Design Guidelines, including Easy Read and NZ Sign Language summaries.