The going got tough in Lifemark’s Age Lab

Accessible Properties Housing Development Team (from left) Nigel Smith Isabelle Janus and Dave Orrell

Accessible Properties’ Housing Development team has had a small taste of what it’s like to cope with physical limitations.

Housing Development Manager Nigel Smith, Project Manager Dave Orrell and Project Administrator Isabelle Janus recently spent time in an Age Lab at LifeMark in Auckland.

The housing design organisation’s Age Labs help people to understand the challenges people face when they age or have mobility issues. Lifemark is a division of CCS Disability Action, which delivers a set of star-rated residential design standards for accessibility.

Nigel, Dave and Isabelle tried on simulation glasses that mimic age-related visual impairments, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, and found how hard it was to find and use light switches, and to pick up and dial a phone.

Nigel wore an age-simulation weight vest that made it difficult for him to move around, bend and use stairs. Isabelle used a wheelchair to navigate her way around the building. Dave, who already had his arm in a cast, put on equipment that restricted him to using only one side of his body to simulate the effect of a stroke.

“This was a challenging, eye-opening experience, where we were able to experience first-hand the struggles of day-to-day living with a disability,” Isabelle says.

APNZL Chief Executive Greg Orchard says the company has signed a partnership agreement with Lifemark with intention of obtaining certification for 60–80 homes a year in Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. We also have Lifemark-certified properties in Wellington and Christchurch and across the country.

“Accessible Properties has always been Lifemark-focused and we believe in improving the accessibility of New Zealand’s housing stock. We see partnering with Lifemark as one way of raising awareness and achieving this,” Greg says.

“We’re keen to have Lifemark‘s independent accreditation for our portfolio of purpose-built, accessible homes throughout the country to provide us with feedback on the levels of accessibility we are achieving and where we can improve. We have just received certification for some of our first Tauranga new-builds.”

Latest news

More news
Resignation of Greg Orchard, Accessible Properties Chief Executive
Accessible Properties reducing its carbon footprint
Delwyn's a diamond!
Pool safety this summer
Backyard bounty
Tauranga teamwork
Trevor’s koha to grieving whānau
There's always a welcome at Lee's place
Founding Chair of Accessible Properties joins Business Hall of Fame
Hazel’s an AP neighbourhood star
Accessible Properties Good Eggs
New pop-up-park in Tauranga a real asset
AP and Kāinga Ora working together
Keeping fit and healthy – whatever your age
Preparing your household for COVID-19
Staying safe - Omicron
How to talk to your friends and whānau about the COVID-19 vaccine
Pool safety this summer
COVID-19 Omicron update
Visiting an Accessible Properties office?
Stay safe
Tauranga tenants – what does a community centre mean to you?
16 October - Super Saturday
Going the extra mile
Find out about the COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 Update: Accessible Properties services expanded in level 2
COVID-19 Update: Accessible Properties services extended in level 3
COVID-19 Update: Level 4 extended
COVID-19 Update: Level 4
COVID-19 Update: Level 4
More AP tenants are Good Sorts!
New rubbish bins for Tauranga
COVID-19 Update - 1 March
COVID-19: Alert levels raised
VIP visitor thrills AP tenant
Notice to tenants: Healthy Homes
AP tenant is a Good Sort
i-Volunteer provides connection for people with intellectual disabilities and family carers
Read the latest At Home newsletter
Accessible Properties wins award for Tauranga build
Read our Annual Highlights report
Quick-thinking Garry to the rescue
COVID-19 Alert Levels raised - What you need to know
Flash new kitchen for IDEA home
Fire safety in Winter
Returning to normal
Taking building to new heights!
COVID-19 Update - Message to tenants
COVID-19 Update: Level 3
AP team delivers food and care boxes
New protections for renters
COVID-19: Your questions answered
Benefits and assistance information
Accessible Properties deemed Essential Service
IHC Group – Preparations completed for Alert Level 4 for COVID-19
Rent and repairs during Covid-19 Alert Level 4
COVID-19 update
Help with essential costs
COVID-19 update
New bathroom’s a hit – thanks to Accessible Properties
Sustaining Tenancies extended to Tauranga
WorkWell Accreditation for Accessible Properties
Swimming pools – important notice
Christmas in a new home
Accessible Properties' Annual Highlights
Minister opens Tauranga homes
Accessible Properties takes action on Tauranga housing shortage
Accessible Properties unveils community-focused apartments
Bay of Plenty Steamers trade the field for Wayne’s backyard
It’s a bird… It’s a plane… It’s a new home!
The going got tough in Lifemark’s Age Lab
Accessible Properties continues to ease rental crisis in Tauranga
Accessible Properties wins award for fresh approach to meth management
Accessible Properties congratulates Sir Paul Adams
'We Believe' video launched
Accessible Properties Tauranga tenants keep warm thanks to Good Neighbour
Accessible Properties celebrates two years in Tauranga
Pukehinahina/Gate Pa Tenants talk with APNZL
Five new homes for people with disabilities
Chris Ah Honi, selected for housing awards judging panel
Accessible Properties is now a referring agency for the Tauranga Food Bank
Tauranga organisations learn from award winning community project
Accessible Properties committed to providing quality houses
More Accessible Properties tenants eligible for the Community Services Card
Accessible Properties welcomes budget recognition
Accessible Properties encouraged by $2.5 million for Tauranga emergency housing
Accessible Properties meets with Housing Minister
Rotary delivers surprise to our deserving tenants
Partnering with Habitat for Humanity to support people into their own home
Not-for-profits put people’s needs first
Accessible Properties – more housing in Tauranga, the country’s most unaffordable city
Accessible Properties – keen to work with Government to meet housing need
There when Charles needed us
Michelle’s thankful for her new home
Accessible Properties aiming for 5000 homes by 2024
A better home for a family in need
Transformation at Park Road
Two years in and still enjoying their coffees
Accessible Properties acquires more than 1100 Tauranga homes
Accessible Properties opens Tauranga office ahead of housing transfer