Webinar: Accessible Design for Building Exteriors
When it comes to accessibility, the journey doesn’t begin at the front door – it starts in the car park, along the footpath, and through every outdoor space leading up to the entrance. These areas are more than just transitional zones; they’re the first chance to show whether inclusion is truly embedded or just surface-level.
That’s the focus of a new webinar from Access Matters Aotearoa and BarrierFree, in partnership with CCS Disability Action: Accessible Design for Building Exteriors, part of the Lunch & Learn web series.
🗓️ Date: Thursday 30 October
🕛 Time: 12–1 PM NZT
Designing for Dignity and Inclusion
“Accessibility begins before the entrance,” says Katie Bourke, the webinar’s presenter and Accessibility Advisor at BarrierFree. “Outdoor spaces are the first point of contact – and the first opportunity to demonstrate inclusion.”
Katie brings over 15 years of international experience in accessibility consulting, and her lived experience as a wheelchair user adds depth to her people-first approach. She’s worked with government departments, universities, and design teams across Ireland, the UK, and New Zealand.
In this session, Katie will unpack:
How external design influences first impressions and access for all users
The purpose and application of NZ Accessibility Standards
Best-practice strategies that go beyond compliance to foster truly inclusive spaces
“Designing with inclusion in mind isn’t just good practice – it’s transformative,” Katie says. “It changes how people interact with spaces, and how those spaces interact with the community.”
Who should attend?
This webinar is ideal for:
Architects, planners, and project managers
Policy makers and council staff
Disability community members, advocates and leaders
Students and educators in design and urban planning
Whether you’re shaping policy, delivering projects, or advocating for change, this session offers practical tools to help you reimagine building exteriors as places of welcome and dignity.
Reserve your spot now and help build a more inclusive Aotearoa, starting from the outside in.
