Part of the Children with Disability NZ network:

  • Accessible Playgrounds NZ helps families find inclusive playgrounds
  • Inclusive Playground Equipment NZ helps councils, schools and communities design better ones
Visit https://accessibleplaygrounds.co.nz/

Common Mobility Parking Design Mistakes

Common Mobility Parking Design Mistakes

Common Mobility Parking Design Mistakes – And Why They Matter

Many mobility parking spaces fail not because of intent, but because of poor understanding of real-world use.

Common Mistakes

  • Access aisle on the wrong side
  • Sloped or uneven ground
  • Narrow spaces
  • Drainage grates in access areas
  • Raised lips or edges
  • Soft or unstable surfaces
  • Poor connection to pathways

The Real Issue

Designers often assume:
“If it looks accessible, it must be accessible.”

This is not true.

Lived Experience Reality

A space can meet guidelines but still be unusable.

What Should Happen Instead

Design must consider:

  • Equipment use (ramps, hoists)
  • Powerchair size and weight
  • Independent access
  • Safe return to vehicle

The Bottom Line

Accessibility is not visual.
It is functional.

Common Mobility Parking Design Mistakes
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