About Access Maps
About Access Maps
About Access Maps
Access Maps was created with a clear but urgent goal: to ensure everyone has the accessibility information they need to navigate life. In a world where 1 in 6 people identify as disabled, too many still face uncertainty when they leave home — unsure whether they'll be welcomed, supported or even able to enter the spaces they rely on.
Access Maps was created with a clear but urgent goal: to ensure everyone has the accessibility information they need to navigate life. In a world where 1 in 6 people identify as disabled, too many still face uncertainty when they leave home — unsure whether they'll be welcomed, supported or even able to enter the spaces they rely on.
Access Maps was created with a clear but urgent goal: to ensure everyone has the accessibility information they need to navigate life. In a world where 1 in 6 people identify as disabled, too many still face uncertainty when they leave home — unsure whether they'll be welcomed, supported or even able to enter the spaces they rely on.
We built Access Maps to change that. Every feature is shaped by lived experiences across our communities — people with a range of access needs, ages and perspectives. Not just compliance checklists, but real-world insights into what makes participation possible.
We built Access Maps to change that. Every feature is shaped by lived experiences across our communities — people with a range of access needs, ages and perspectives. Not just compliance checklists, but real-world insights into what makes participation possible.
Our mission is twofold: to empower individuals with free, reliable accessibility information so they can connect fully with their communities, and to equip organisations with practical tools that turn accessibility into something measurable, actionable, and valuable.
Our mission is twofold: to empower individuals with free, reliable accessibility information so they can connect fully with their communities, and to equip organisations with practical tools that turn accessibility into something measurable, actionable, and valuable.
Access Maps goes beyond physical access. Ramps and doorways are only part of the picture. We focus on full-spectrum accessibility, including neurodivergent needs, sensory considerations, cultural requirements, and the everyday details that ensure an experience is truly inclusive.
Access Maps goes beyond physical access. Ramps and doorways are only part of the picture. We focus on full-spectrum accessibility, including neurodivergent needs, sensory considerations, cultural requirements, and the everyday details that ensure an experience is truly inclusive.
Our communities
Our communities
More than 1 in 5 people across Australia and New Zealand live with an accessibility need. That statistic is steadily growing and by 2030, it'll rise to 1 in 4. Many don't realise that people aged 65+ years have a 50% chance of living with at least one access requirement (e.g. reduced mobility, hearing loss or partial vision), making accessibility a mainstream concern that affects every household and business.
More than 1 in 5 people across Australia and New Zealand live with an accessibility need. That statistic is steadily growing and by 2030, it'll rise to 1 in 4. Many don't realise that people aged 65+ years have a 50% chance of living with at least one access requirement (e.g. reduced mobility, hearing loss or partial vision), making accessibility a mainstream concern that affects every household and business.
The information we provide doesn't just help those with permanent disabilities. It also supports people with temporary injuries, parents with prams, travellers with luggage and the friends, family and support workers who assist them. When we make spaces accessible, everyone benefits.
The information we provide doesn't just help those with permanent disabilities. It also supports people with temporary injuries, parents with prams, travellers with luggage and the friends, family and support workers who assist them. When we make spaces accessible, everyone benefits.
Led by lived experience
Led by lived experience
Access Maps is built in partnership with the communities we serve. Co-design sits at the heart of every feature, improvement and release, ensuring our platform reflects real-world needs and lived experience.
Access Maps is built in partnership with the communities we serve. Co-design sits at the heart of every feature, improvement and release, ensuring our platform reflects real-world needs and lived experience.
Our governance is grounded in the same principle. Community voice doesn’t just inform our work — it guides it. Every strategic decision, feature and partnership is assessed through a simple lens: How does this improve accessibility in practice?
Our governance is grounded in the same principle. Community voice doesn’t just inform our work — it guides it. Every strategic decision, feature and partnership is assessed through a simple lens: How does this improve accessibility in practice?
Led by lived experience
Our approach to accessibility
Our approach to accessibility
Our approach to accessibility
We recognise that every organisation is at a different stage in its accessibility journey. Our strengths-based approach helps venues highlight and celebrate what they already do well, while honestly identifying areas for improvement. This transparency builds trust with all involved: the organisations that work with us and the communities who use their Access Maps details to make informed decisions.
We recognise that every organisation is at a different stage in its accessibility journey. Our strengths-based approach helps venues highlight and celebrate what they already do well, while honestly identifying areas for improvement. This transparency builds trust with all involved: the organisations that work with us and the communities who use their Access Maps details to make informed decisions.
We assess accessibility across five interconnected areas:
We assess accessibility across five interconnected areas:
Physical
Beyond ramps and rails: We capture the nuance and details of built environments to determine true accessibility. These include door weight, turning spaces, surface textures, and the seemingly small details that make a difference between independence and exclusion.
Physical
Beyond ramps and rails: We capture the nuance and details of built environments to determine true accessibility. These include door weight, turning spaces, surface textures, and the seemingly small details that make a difference between independence and exclusion.
Sensory
Creating comfortable spaces for all: We document environmental factors like lighting levels, background noise, scents and temperature variations. What's ambience for some can be a barrier for others, especially those with sensory processing difficulties or chronic health conditions.
Sensory
Creating comfortable spaces for all: We document environmental factors like lighting levels, background noise, scents and temperature variations. What's ambience for some can be a barrier for others, especially those with sensory processing difficulties or chronic health conditions.
Digital
Information accessibility matters: We ensure your accessibility information is actually accessible. While 96% of websites fail basic accessibility standards, every Access Maps interface meets WCAG guidelines, ensuring everyone can access the information they need.
Digital
Information accessibility matters: We ensure your accessibility information is actually accessible. While 96% of websites fail basic accessibility standards, every Access Maps interface meets WCAG guidelines, ensuring everyone can access the information they need.
Cultural
Attitudes shape experiences: We highlight venues where staff understand that disability awareness isn't just training — it's part of the team culture. From communication methods to service flexibility, we showcase organisations that truly welcome all visitors.
Cultural
Attitudes shape experiences: We highlight venues where staff understand that disability awareness isn't just training — it's part of the team culture. From communication methods to service flexibility, we showcase organisations that truly welcome all visitors.
Experiential
Context changes everything. A quiet café can become inaccessible during live music sessions. A wheelchair-accessible theatre may present sensory challenges during some performances. We track how accessibility changes with new events and activities, providing a full picture.
Experiential
Context changes everything. A quiet café can become inaccessible during live music sessions. A wheelchair-accessible theatre may present sensory challenges during some performances. We track how accessibility changes with new events and activities, providing a full picture.
Rachel Peterson
Rachel Peterson
Rachel Peterson
Disability Strategist | Board Member, Access Maps
Board Member, Access Maps
Disability Strategist | Board Member, Access Maps
A message from our Board
A message from our Board
A message from our Board
"I joined Access Maps because I believe deeply in both the mission and the people behind it. After three decades working professionally in the disability sector and nearly five living within it, I have seen first-hand how time consuming and exhausting it can be to navigate everyday access. This platform offers something powerful: accurate, inclusive information that empowers individuals, supports businesses and enables real change. I am proud to serve on the Board and help shape a tool with this much potential."
"I joined Access Maps because I believe deeply in both the mission and the people behind it. After three decades working professionally in the disability sector and nearly five living within it, I have seen first-hand how time consuming and exhausting it can be to navigate everyday access. This platform offers something powerful: accurate, inclusive information that empowers individuals, supports businesses and enables real change. I am proud to serve on the Board and help shape a tool with this much potential."
Digital accessibility for everybody
Digital accessibility for everybody
See how Access Maps can work for you. Book a short demo to explore accessibility in your organisation.
See how Access Maps can work for you. Book a short demo to explore accessibility in your organisation.
See how Access Maps can work for you. Book a short demo to explore accessibility in your organisation.
Book a demo
© Copyright 2026. All rights reserved by Access Maps Pty Ltd
© Copyright 2026. All rights reserved by Access Maps Pty Ltd
© Copyright 2026. All rights reserved by Access Maps Pty Ltd
© Copyright 2026. All rights reserved by Access Maps Pty Ltd