A Canterbury initiative designed to improve universal accessibility in the rebuild will be showcased at a prestigious design conference in Auckland and Brisbane.

The Accessibility Charter - Canterbury will be presented at the third annual Universal Design Conference, aimed at promoting inclusion, to be held on 4-5 September in Brisbane and 6-7 September in Auckland. Fittingly, on 4 September it will be eight years to the day after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Canterbury.

A BarrierFree New Zealand Trust initiative, led in collaboration with the Earthquake Disability Leadership Group, the Accessibility Charter challenges the Canterbury rebuild and regeneration agencies to go beyond minimum compliance in accessibility. By championing the creation of genuinely accessible public destinations and journeys, it is aimed at enabling all people to explore and experience Ōtautahi Christchurch independently, including disabled people, older people and families with young children.

The Charter was launched in Canterbury on 3 November 2017 following an 18-month consultation process with groups leading the rebuild and regeneration of Christchurch. Foundation signatories include Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch City Council, Development Christchurch Limited, Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Ōtakaro Limited, and Regenerate Christchurch.

The commitment to high levels of accessibility by the foundation signatories is a key step towards making Christchurch one of the most accessible cities in the world, benefitting business, tourism, economic development, whānau, iwi, and the health and wellbeing of local people.

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