New Zealand partnership targets accessible digital services

A new partnership, Ghost is for All, seeks to revolutionise digital citizen services in New Zealand by prioritising accessibility for people with disabilities. This collaboration involves Ghost Partners, recognised for their human-centred design and technological solutions across the Asia Pacific, and All is for All, a creative agency committed to promoting accessibility for people with disabilities. 

The partnership aims to create digital solutions that cater to the needs of all community members, especially the 1.1 million New Zealanders with disabilities. These solutions will go beyond mere technical standards to incorporate holistic and innovative approaches that ensure inclusivity and equity.

Grace Stratton, Chief Executive of All is for All, who herself lives with a disability, emphasised the need to rethink the current norms that contribute to vulnerabilities within communities. "No community is vulnerable," she stated. "Communities are made vulnerable by the norms we perpetuate and the decisions we make, which exclude communities."

Stratton further articulated the importance of considering every aspect of design beyond mere technical compliance. "It's about going beyond technical standards and thinking holistically about every aspect of what we're designing. The evidence shows that accessible digital services are more highly engaged with by everybody," she added.

Ghost is for All will focus particularly on public and emergency services to ensure that nobody is excluded. By embedding community voices and lived experiences into the design and implementation processes, the partnership aims to set new standards for inclusivity in digital citizen services.

This initiative addresses a critical need as the emphasis and investment in digital, self-service solutions continue to grow. Existing digital tools often overlook the community's requirements, making this partnership's mission particularly pertinent. 

This partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing the accessibility of digital citizen services in New Zealand, focusing on inclusivity for people with disabilities. By combining Ghost Partners' expertise in human-centred design with All is for All's commitment to accessibility, the collaboration aims to create solutions that are not only technically sound but also equitable and reflective of the diverse needs of the entire community.