Inspiring you to trust in us

At Inspire Access our purpose is to provide the technical advice, audits and training needed to meet the minimum NZ building compliance required for access and facilities for people with disabilities while our mission is to inspire everyone everywhere to reach above and beyond these minimums every day.

Our vision is to improve New Zealand's awareness so that by 2025 accessibility and inclusion is the normality within our built environment.

Great (Uncle) inspiration!

Back in 1998 my great uncle wrote me a letter while I was studying my architectural degree.  In it he discussed his entry into architecture in 1934 and included a brochure he published on "Design of Buildings" under a charity organisation named Disabled Citizens' Advice and Support Services (DisCASS) that he registered in 1990 in the UK.  This was the result of working on a complete redevelopment of Hydon Hill Cheshire Home housing 38 residents with various disabilities in Godalming, Surrey, England.  The home is still providing vital services and facilities for its residents and the leaflet's detailed design elements are still relevant and applicable today here in New Zealand.

What great inspiration!

This quote from his letter shows his passion for educating and implementing accessible design for everyone everywhere:

"This experience taught me the needs of disabled persons including those in wheelchairs. I also realised the necessity for making these provisions in all buildings right from the design stage ... it is very important that these basic principles are learnt from the start."

Inspire Access Company Director
Samantha Owles - Accessibility consultant

Having a background in design, compliance, risk assessment, mediation and advocacy has set me up with the tools to provide an ideal base for consulting on accessibility, with a view point from a variety of perspectives.  This benefits clients from all corners of the construction sector.

Since gaining a BSc (hons) architectural degree from the University of Bath, England in the early 2000s, inspiration has come from 5 years in architectural offices in both the UK and NZ, and 8 years in a Building Consent/Territorial Authority reviewing and approving consents as well as investigating and settling building claims.  Having trained as a mediator during this time, this has allowed for the capability to reach suitable resolutions either strongly advocating or negotiating compromises where appropriate for many clients.  This was very useful in the 2 years while working as a Technical Manager for a not-for-profit accessibility consultancy.

The Technical Manager role saw requests for technical advice, audits of both existing and new buildings, and creating and providing training on accessibility-related legislation in locations all over NZ.  Clients ranged from Council Building Consent Authorities, to builders, engineers and designers, through to building owners and passionate advocates. I'm a motivated individual passionate about helping people with core values including integrity, responsibility and loyalty which drive meto produce meaningful work that clients find competent and trustworthy.

Photograph of Samantha Owles, dark hair, glasses, smiling
Technical Inspiration

Follow us on social media where current affairs relating to accessibility or photographs of inspirational experiences we find and see on our travels are posted.  Let them inspire you!  Check out which social option you prefer by clicking on our Contact Us page here.

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