Future Environments Thought Leadership × Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People

Future Environments Thought Leadership session, in partnership with Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, focused on accessible and inclusive design in the built environment.

This session will bring together government, academia, and sector partners to explore how design, technology, and lived experience can shape more inclusive environments, and to begin a more coordinated and action-focused conversation across the sector.

Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People will be represented by Rebecca Elvy, Deputy Chief Executive Outreach and Innovation, joined by Sarah Fuhrer, Senior Advisor Sto DCE, who will provide a lived experience perspective.

From AUT, contributions will be led by Priscila Besen and Terry-Ann Berry from Future Environments, alongside colleagues from across the University, sharing current work across architecture, design, technology, and research. These perspectives will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

This is an opportunity to bring together leaders across government, industry, and academia to:

• share insights on current challenges and opportunities
• explore the role of immersive and emerging technologies in improving accessibility outcomes
• consider how lived experience can be more meaningfully integrated into design processes
• identify opportunities for collaboration and sector alignment