Making New Zealand’s great outdoors great for wheelchairs
A Victoria University of Wellington student has imagined the potential redesign of one of New Zealand’s walking tracks to make it accessible for people in wheelchairs or with impairments.
Matt McKone, who recently completed a Master of Landscape Architecture, is a keen tramper and says he’s observed that New Zealand’s premier tracks aren’t physically accessible for some.
“Our walking tracks not only offer the opportunity to hike through our country’s unique landscapes, but also a sense of wellbeing that comes from being outdoors—perhaps a connection with nature or sense of freedom.
“A part of the population only sees these amazing parts of New Zealand through photographs, due to the difficulty of access.”
Matt’s thesis proposed design modifications to Fiordland’s three-day Hollyford Track that would allow access for the physically impaired.
“The design uses technologies based on rock climbing tools to help with inclines and declines. Users would physically push or pull to manoeuvre through different terrains. The huts were also redesigned to be accessible and reflect the landscape,” he says.
“It all works to enhance the hiking experience for both able-bodied and disabled communities.”
Matt’s research was supervised by Jacqueline McIntosh and Bruno Marques from Victoria’s School of Architecture. He also worked with the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, Barrier Free NZ Trust and members of Wellington's disability community.
“The aim overall is to allow someone in a wheelchair to be able to complete the track without the aid of others,” says Matt.
“It could create an adventurous activity for a wheelchair user to train for, encourage physical activity post-impairment, or simply surface that sense of wellbeing that comes from being immersed in the wilderness.”
DOC is supportive of initiatives like Matt’s that aim to get more people out into our great outdoors, says Partnerships Manager Jonathan Thomas.
“With approximately 24 percent of New Zealanders living with a disability, the Department has also been keen to understand how the tracks and facilities we provide can be accessed and used by a wide variety of people, including those with physical impairments. Together with the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation we’re working on initiatives to encourage the use of outdoor spaces by people with disabilities,” says Jonathan.
“In March 2016 we trialled the accessibility of an existing track on the Abel Tasman Great Walk, and this has given us valuable information about some of the specific needs that people with disabilities have. We’re very interested in Matt’s work and see accessibility as a key focus for us in the future.”
Matt is currently working for landscape design and construction company Allworks.