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Accessible Walking Tracks

The Client

This project brought together several dedicated stakeholders, including Recreation Aotearoa, Access-i-bel, Plan My Walk, and AdaptMTB. Each organisation shares a passion for making outdoor activities more accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Together, they sought to improve access to walking track information across New Zealand.

Their Challenge

The challenge was clear: across Aotearoa, numerous websites provide information about walking tracks, but the format, content, and accessibility of this information varies widely.

Each site has different levels of digital accessibility and different types of access information. This makes it difficult for users, especially those with access needs, to find the resources they needed.

The project team aimed to gather valuable information to support a business case for developing a fully accessible website. They wanted to learn:

  1. How accessible their current websites are.
  2. How useful the access information is on these websites.
  3. How to improve the track maps both now and in the future.

Our Process

To tackle these challenges, we implemented a structured approach:

  1. Lite Accessibility Review: We conducted a lite review of two out of five track websites, assessing them against the top ten issues from Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2). This provided insights into the current levels of accessibility and the types of content available.
  2. Research Template Development: We created a user-friendly research template designed to help gather useful feedback efficiently. This template allowed for easy analysis and transformation into actionable recommendations.
  3. Participant Recruitment: Six individuals with different access needs and a love for the outdoors were recruited from our staff and Access Panel. They reviewed the websites independently and completed the research templates with their insights.
  4. Data Analysis: We combined the data from all participants, analysing it to identify trends and common challenges faced by users when accessing information about walking tracks.

Outcomes & Impact

The results of our collaborative efforts were both positive and impactful:

  1. Insights and Improvements: Our analysis revealed both the strengths of the current map solutions and several areas for enhancement. This understanding provides every stakeholder with specific findings they can implement to improve their maps and access information.
  2. Clear Vision for a Combined Solution: The project team gained a comprehensive understanding of what a robust, unified solution could look like if all organisations worked together. The collaborative nature of this project highlighted the value of combining different features and insights to create a more comprehensive resource.
  3. Actionable Recommendations: Each stakeholder received tactical and strategic information that they could act on. This empowers them to take meaningful steps toward improving their individual platforms for the benefit of all users.
  4. Easier access to the walks: Once each of the project team makes recommended tactical changes to their site, they will make their content and their walks more accessible to everyone.

Next Steps

Moving forward, the project team will use the insights and data gathered to create a solid business case aimed at securing funding. The goal is to develop a single, fully accessible solution that combines the best design and content features from each stakeholder. By pooling resources, they intend to create an online platform that is as accessible as possible, further bridging the gap between the outdoor experiences available and the individuals who want to enjoy them.

Our teamwork and commitment to accessibility have set the stage for a promising future where all individuals can enjoy the beauty of Aotearoa’s walking tracks. By creating fully accessible and useful resources, we hope to inspire more people to embrace the outdoors and enjoy nature without barriers. We look forward to continuing our work with these passionate stakeholders and bringing this vision to life!

Client Quote

“[The results presentation workshop was] A really useful and practical session which helped to highlight the challenges and opportunities between sites, underpinned by lived experience insights. Everyone seemed really engaged in the conversation - and I'm sure we've all taken key learnings away (I certainly have!). The session was delivered in a really practical way, which clearly outlined the areas to improve on (without any fluff!), along with possible solutions. Really grateful for the ongoing support of the Access Advisors team, thank you.”