Universal design approach

These principles should form an important part of workplace planning and design:

• Consider people with all types of disabilities and accessibility needs.
• Cater to the widest range of abilities.
• Consider providing self-contained facilities which can be used by all.
• Encourage high standards of privacy, accessibility, and comfort for toilets and amenities.
• Provide signage that is simple, clear, effective and does not discriminate. 

The benefits of taking a universal approach include:

• Inclusivity for disabled people. Accessible toilets for disabled people with all types of impairments. This includes hidden conditions, mobility aids, and those with a caregiver.
• Inclusivity for people caring for children. Parents and caregivers should have access to a private and accessible area, for example for feeding or expressing milk.
• Supporting people who fall ill at work. Unwell people in the building being able to isolate until treated or transitioned, with little to no impact to others on site.
• Future-proofed design. Demand for self-contained, accessible toilets and other amenities is growing. Self-contained toilets can be used by all, offering greater flexibility and efficiency.
• Increased availability. Self-contained facilities are becoming more commonplace in new buildings and refurbishments. Many businesses, workplaces, schools, cafes, and restaurants.

Applying the principles of good workplace design

Accessibility and inclusion in the public service

Accessing and using office buildings can present challenges for a diverse workforce, including:

• location and distance, such as needing to move floors to reach an accessible toilet
• barriers, such as using multiple heavy, swinging doors to get to toilets, or thresholds at doors and entrances
• corridors and walkways that aren’t wide enough to cater for wheelchairs
• not having space to store a mobility aid near the person using it, or having options for personal storage
• door handles that are too small and difficult to grip
• walls or carpet with busy patterns and lack of contrast, making it difficult for the visually impaired
• accessible showers not being provided
• incorrect height for items such as Braille signage, hooks, coat racks, cupboards, hand basins, and air dryers
• people using accessible toilets when they don’t need to
• visually impaired people and mobility aid users having to find their way around furniture, especially if it has been moved and not replaced
• choosing between facilities labelled for men or women
• having access to safe and usable bathrooms.

Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission acts as a steward for diversity and including in the public service. Diversity and inclusion are essential for providing better policies and services to all people in New Zealand. Diversity is about the seen and unseen characteristics that make us unique. Their guidance includes the usage of inclusive language.

Te kanorau me te whakawhāiti mai Diversity and inclusion – Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

Te Puka Ārahi i te Reo Tuwhera mō te Ranga Aniwaniwa Rainbow inclusive language guide –Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

Guidance on developing policies and procedures around reasonable accommodations in the workplace are available from Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Human Rights Commission. MSD guidance also details the appropriate language around disability and why word usage matters.

Reasonable accommodation – Ministry of Social Development

Reasonable Accommodation Guidelines – Human Rights Commission

Disability language - words matter – Ministry of Social Development