New Zealand Accessibility Standards

Sport New Zealand — Inclusive Play Guidance

Sport New Zealand promotes inclusive play environments that allow children of all abilities to participate together. Their guidance encourages playgrounds that are welcoming, safe, and usable for people with a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities.

Inclusive play principles include:

• designing spaces that encourage shared play

• ensuring independent access to equipment

• creating environments that support physical, sensory, and social play

Sport NZ Inclusive Play Guidance:
https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/inclusive-play/

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ACC — Universal Design Principles

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) promotes Universal Design principles across New Zealand to help create environments that work for the widest range of people possible.

Universal design focuses on creating spaces that are:

• usable by people of all ages and abilities

• safe and intuitive to use

• accessible without requiring specialised adaptation

Universal Design information:
https://universaldesign.org.nz/

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Barrier Free New Zealand Trust

Barrier Free New Zealand Trust works to promote accessibility and inclusive environments across New Zealand. Their guidance highlights the importance of removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life.

Their work supports:

• accessible public spaces

• inclusive community planning

• better accessibility awareness for decision-makers

Barrier Free New Zealand Trust:
https://barrierfreenz.org.nz/

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International Playground Accessibility Guidance

International organisations also provide widely recognised guidance on accessible playground design. These resources reinforce many of the same principles used in New Zealand, including accessible surfacing, inclusive equipment, and independent access.

A commonly referenced guide is:

Inclusive Play Design Guide (PlayCore):
https://www.playcore.com/inclusion

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Why These Resources Matter

Together, these standards and guidance documents reinforce a simple idea:

Accessible environments should be designed so people can move through and use spaces independently, safely, and with dignity.

When these principles are applied to playground design, communities create spaces where children and adults of all abilities can play, connect, and participate together.