Accessibility Legislation

What is an Accessibility Act?

An accessibility act is a law made by Parliament, led by the Government, and designed with disabled people - not for them. It is legislation implemented to prevent discrimination and remove barriers for disabled people, ensuring equal access to goods, services, and facilities. It mandates that organisations identify, prevent, and eliminate accessibility barriers through standards like universal design, often requiring compliance for digital, built, and service environments. 

Accessibility Legislation is Important

Our current human rights laws don’t give organisations or businesses clear guidance on how to be fully accessible as employers or service providers. There are no specific accessibility standards, legal requirements, or penalties for failing to provide access.

Laws around “discrimination,” “equality before the law,” and “reasonable accommodation” offer important protections, but they don’t spell out what organisations must do to make their websites, workplaces, services, or spaces accessible in practice.

An accessibility Act will change this. It will create national accessibility standards across all areas of life and work, giving clear expectations and a fair, consistent framework for organisations to follow. It will also ensure that disabled people can participate fully in their communities, and that Aotearoa New Zealand benefits from everyone’s contribution.

Why Now?

The timing is right. The Accessible Aotearoa New Zealand Bill creates a rare opportunity to set strong, enforceable accessibility standards. Public awareness of access needs is growing, and there is cross-sector momentum for practical solutions. With policy alignment and political attention focused on accessibility, this is the moment for New Zealand to set a clear path forward.

What We’re Asking For

We’re calling for a strong accessibility Act for Aotearoa New Zealand, shaped by public input into the Accessible Aotearoa New Zealand Bill. The Bill proposes clear, enforceable accessibility standards, an independent regulator, and consistent requirements for accessible places, services, and digital environments. With public feedback, the Bill can progress through Parliament and become an effective accessibility Act that ensures everyone can participate fully.

1. An Accessibility Act

One clear law that makes accessibility a right. It must include enforceable standards for transport, workplaces, education, healthcare, digital access, homes, and public spaces.

2. Accountability when things go wrong

A simple way for people to report barriers, and an independent regulator that ensures issues are addressed fairly and promptly.

3. Leadership by disabled people

Decisions must be shaped with disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori through genuine co-design and partnership.

Nothing about us, without us.

4. Fair and flexible support

Access needs vary. Funding, interpreters, equipment, and support services should be available in ways that reflect people’s real lives and communities.

5. Changing attitudes

Public attitudes shape how disabled people are treated in daily life. Shifting the way people think about disability and accessibility – from seeing it as an individual problem to recognising and removing barriers – creates a more equitable Aotearoa New Zealand. When we make Aotearoa New Zealand more accessible, everyone benefits.