Accessibility Consulting
Your partners in accessibility
Our accessibility consulting services
BarrierFree works with those in the design, construction and regulatory industries to provide specialised advice and accessibility consulting in New Zealand.
We help organisations and businesses create accessible environments – from buildings and community infrastructure to outdoor public spaces – by understanding the needs of the people using them.
- Assessment and audits: We provide comprehensive accessibility assessment, auditing, and reporting services, encompassing both plans and onsite evaluations. We clarify Building Code compliance expectations and offer best practice options.
- Accessibility Gap Analysis: We conduct Accessibility Gap Analyses to identify the gaps between current accessibility features and regulatory standards.
- Opinions on accessibility compliance: If your project has been referred for an independent opinion on its compliance with the accessibility provisions of the Building Code, we can provide an opinion for you to use in the consent application stage.
- Project-specific technical advice: To maximize cost-effectiveness and prevent future changes, we collaborate with your design team, offering expert advice throughout concept, design, consent, and post-construction stages.
Your path to inclusive, barrier-free design
At BarrierFree, we tailor our approach to each project, ensuring accessibility is seamlessly integrated from concept to completion. Our process is entirely flexible – clients can engage with us at any stage, whether they need an initial assessment, compliance guidance, or ongoing technical support. We collaborate closely with architects, designers, and project managers, offering expert advice throughout the design and construction phases to prevent costly modifications later.
Whether reviewing plans, providing independent compliance opinions, or guiding teams through accessibility improvements, we work in partnership to meet each client’s specific needs, ensuring that spaces are functional, inclusive, and meet regulatory standards.
Our process
How we work with clients
BarrierFree uses a flexible process to support accessibility in building projects. Whether you're working on a new build, renovation, or existing facility, we can tailor our involvement to suit your needs and project stage.
Engaging BarrierFree early allows accessibility to be embedded from the outset – but we can add value at any point, from concept design through to post-construction review. Our pathway ensures that every step is informed by best practice, regulatory insight, and a commitment to inclusive design.
Referral pathway
Independent opinions supporting Building Consents
BarrierFree often works in partnership with Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) and clients to improve access outcomes across New Zealand’s built environment. When a BCA refers a client to BarrierFree for an independent accessibility opinion, we follow a clear and collaborative process to ensure challenges are addressed effectively.
From initial discussions through to site audits and written ANARP (As Near As Reasonably Practicable) opinions, our consultants work closely with clients to clarify compliance expectations and support informed decision-making.
This referral pathway ensures that accessibility issues are addressed early and thoroughly, reducing delays and helping projects meet regulatory standards, while also providing advice on best practice.
