Training Modules — Adapting Aotearoa
Training modules
Welcome to your training.
You've taken an important first step toward building genuinely inclusive experiences. Work through the modules relevant to your operation — at your own pace, in any order that suits your business.
Where to start
Getting the most from your modules
These modules are practical and experience-led — grounded in how tourism actually operates. Here's how to get started:
  1. 1.Begin with the Introduction and Attitudes & Assumptions modules — they set the foundation for everything that follows.
  2. 2.Work through the modules most relevant to your sector and operation. Some are universal, others are specific to adventure, hospitality, or accommodation.
  3. 3.Each module can be downloaded as a PDF — useful for staff inductions and team training sessions.
  4. 4.Once you've completed the training, the Access Guide Introduction module below is your next step — it explains how to take everything you've learned and put it into practice on your website.
  5. 5.When you're ready to build your Access Guide with full advisory support, consider upgrading to full membership.
Stream one — Training modules
01
Introduction
An overview of the access tourism market and why it matters.
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02
Attitudes & Assumptions
How stereotypes and social attitudes create barriers — and how to shift them.
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03
Welcoming Guests
How first impressions shape whether customers feel welcome and confident.
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04
Customer Experience
Consistency, trust, and delivering experiences customers want to return to.
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05
Understanding Ableism
How ableism shows up in tourism and how to move toward inclusive practice.
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06
Solo or Accompanied Travellers
Responding respectfully to customers travelling independently or with support people.
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07
Inclusion vs. Accessibility
The difference between inclusion and accessibility — and why both matter.
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08
Developing Accessibility
Moving beyond minimum standards to strengthen access in practical ways.
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09
The Inclusive Formula
How service, communication, and design work together to create welcoming experiences.
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10
Adaptive Adventure Tourism
The cornerstone of our industry — how to embrace it in your business.
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11
Assisting Customers
How to offer assistance appropriately and respect independence.
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12
Adaptive Advisory
The role of adaptive advisory in safe, high-quality experience design.
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13
Adaptive Equipment
An introduction to adaptive equipment and how it supports participation and adventure.
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14
Steps to Best Practice
Bringing learning together to deliver high-quality, inclusive experiences.
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15
Inclusive Marketing
Communicating inclusion honestly through language, imagery, and messaging.
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16
Tour Agencies & Destination Management
How Regional Tourism plays a significant role in authentic, inclusive experiences.
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17
The Philosophy
Inclusive tourism is not only about travellers with disabilities — it's about valuing the whole of society.
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Your next step — Access guide introduction
Stream two — Access guide modules
The Access Guide
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Now that you've completed your training, this module introduces the Access Guide — the most powerful enabler of accessible and inclusive tourism. It explains what an Access Guide is, why it matters, and how to structure one for your business. This is where training becomes action.

The full Access Guide module series (Experience Guide, Physical Guide, Transportation, Wording, Hospitality, and Accommodation) is available as part of full membership, along with hands-on advisory support to help you build and publish your guide.
Ready to go further?
Upgrade to full membership
Training is the foundation — but full membership takes you through the complete Adapting Aotearoa journey. With access to all Access Guide modules, hands-on advisory support, formal endorsement, and Regional Tourism marketing pathways, you'll have everything you need to lead on accessibility.
  • All 7 Access Guide modules
  • Access Guide templates and advisory support
  • Formal appraisal and MakingTrax endorsement
  • Annual review to maintain standards
  • Regional Tourism and TourismNZ marketing pathways
  • Listing on the Adapting Aotearoa register
Upgrade now or get in touch to find out more
Questions about your modules or want to discuss upgrading? Contact us at info@adaptingaotearoa.co.nz or via WhatsApp.