Universal Design: Making Camps Accessible for Everyone

Full transcript

Imagine a campsite in Aotearoa New Zealand where every young person — no matter their ability — can arrive, join in, and belong. That is exactly what the 'Can I Come Too?' toolkit is all about. Universal Design is a way of planning activities, spaces, and services so that people with a wide range of abilities can all participate fully, right from the start — no special add-ons needed. Universal Design is built on seven clear principles. Together they give camp leaders a practical framework for thinking about how every young person can be included in every part of camp life. Principle one is Equitable Use — giving everyone the same opportunities. Think about your swimming pool: swap steep steps for a gentle ramp, and suddenly every camper can jump in and enjoy the water together. Principle two is Flexibility in Use, and principle three is Simple and Intuitive Use. Replace fixed benches with moveable chairs so everyone chooses where to sit, and use colour-coded maps with pictures so the whole campsite is easy to navigate for everyone. Principles four and five remind us to share information in multiple ways — visual signs, spoken words, and pictures — and to design activities so that when something goes unexpectedly, everyone stays safe and can still participate. Principles six and seven are about low physical effort and enough space for everyone to move and participate. When we apply all seven principles together, we create camps where every young person can truly say: yes, I can come too.