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Accessibility Advice Helpline

Influencing New Zealand’s building, construction and regulatory sectors to deliver inclusive, accessible spaces through the delivery of pragmatic advice.

Free of Charge Accessibility Advice for Architects, Designers, and Regulators

BarrierFree’s Accessibility Advice Helpline is your go-to resource for compliance and better practice design guidance. Whether you’re an architect, building control officer, roading engineer, developer, or council staff, we provide practical accessibility advice to help you solve building accessibility challenges and create spaces everyone can use. 

Our team draws on over 30 years of experience in inclusive design support and better practice.

  • Quick, Free of Charge Advice

    If your query can be answered in about 15 minutes, we’ll provide guidance at no cost. We will provide a brief written summary of our advice.

  • Next Steps for Complex Issues

    For more detailed input, we’ll recommend options

  • Trusted Referrals

    If we don’t have the answer, we’ll direct you to the right resources, making BarrierFree your first port of call.

Why Use the Helpline?

  • Get quick, practical answers from accessibility experts.
  • Receive advice based on NZ regulations (including NZS 4121) and our knowledge of international practice.
  • Save yourself time and reach out to us for compliance and better practice recommendations.

Contact the Helpline

Please fill out the form with details of your enquiry, and we will get back to you. 

We aim to respond by the end of the next business day.

Optional, but helps us respond faster.

Please provide a brief description of your question or concern. Any information provided about specific projects will remain confidential and will not be retained.

Optional: upload a screenshot or document to help us understand your issue. Limit 1 file per query - if we need more information to respond, someone will contact you.

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FAQs

  • Who can use the helpline?

    Architects, designers, engineers, developers, councils, construction firms, and anyone involved in creating spaces for public use.

  • What types of questions can I ask?

    Anything related to accessibility in buildings, public spaces, transport, or infrastructure.

  • Is the advice legally binding?

    Our advice will guide you on questions of compliance and better practice options. It is not a compliance certification service. You will still be required to confirm design decisions against relevant regulations.

  • What if my query is complex?

    If your question requires more than 15 minutes to answer, we’ll recommend next steps – such as a full accessibility audit or connecting you with other trusted experts.

Disclaimer

This service provides general technical advice and responses to accessibility questions. It is not a compliance certification service. You may still be required to confirm design decisions against relevant standards and regulations if appropriate.