Universal Design and Accessibility

Nick Morris

Nick Morris is Melbourne's leading Universal Design and accessibility consultant, with over 25 years of experience advising major events, infrastructure projects, and government bodies across Australia and internationally. A Paralympic gold medallist and co-author of the IPC Accessibility Guidelines, Nick brings lived experience and world-class expertise to every engagement.
Gold medallist — Atlanta 1996
Order of Australia (OAM)
7 Olympic & Paralympic Games
30+ years consulting
A Picture of Nick Morris in black and white color
A Picture of Nick Morris in black and white color

Experience you can count on

Over three decades of consulting across major events, infrastructure, stadiums, hospitals, hotels, arts centres, and precincts across Australia and internationally.
  • Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Precinct redevelopment — Design
  • Essendon FC and Paralympics Australia development
  • Marvel Stadium redevelopment — Design & construction
  • Australian Grand Prix 1997 & 1996 — Strategy & delivery
  • Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne development
  • 2006, 2010, 2018 & 2026 Commonwealth Games — Strategy & delivery
  • 2020 Dubai World Expo — Strategy & delivery
  • 2026 Qiddiya eGames — Saudi Arabia — UD Strategy
  • Melbourne Park — Centrepiece and KIA Arena — Design & construction
  • Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs, Richmond FC redevelopments
  • Australian Open Tennis 2025–2012 — Event strategy & overlay
  • ANZ & NAB — Branch design, ATM development, staff training
  • University of Queensland — Paralympic Centre of Excellence
  • 2000, 2008, 2010, 2014 & 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games
  • 2024 King Salman Park — Saudi Arabia — UD Strategy
  • 2032 Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village — Planning

Assisting accessibility at world heritage sites

Great Wall of China, Beijing
Forbidden City, Beijing
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Christ the Redeemer, Rio
Taj Mahal, India
Uluru, Australia

About Nick

Nick Morris OAM is an internationally recognised expert in Universal Design and accessibility having consulted all over Australia and internationally. At the age of 16 he had a motorcycle accident where he became a paraplegic. Post accident, he gained tertiary qualifications in Human Movement and achieved Paralympic excellence — Gold Medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball.

In business, Nick has consulted on 7 Olympic and Paralympic Games and bids, 4 Commonwealth Games, 2 World Expo's and the Australian Open Tennis for over 14 years. Most recently Nick has assisted the development of the Athletes Village concept for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He brings a practical approach through his consulting and lived experience of working with high performance delivery teams from planning through to successful delivery. The practical outcomes he instigates ensure seamless and universal user experiences for all people.

Expert Accessibility Consulting Services

Comprehensive Universal Design services spanning peer review, strategy, event planning, training, policy, and stakeholder engagement.
Peer Reviews

Peer Reviews

Nick's knowledge of the “reasonable adjustment” principles of the DDA, allow him to provide expert and “independent assessment of project planning, design and delivery for projects of any size, to ensure key principles are delivered.
Universal design strategy

Universal Design Strategy

Nick works with the planning, delivery or project team to embed universal design principles and goals into any major development, at the key stages. The strategy will consider the project or event, providing direction where design or operational enhancement.
Event planning

Event Planning

Nick's background in international sport and major event logistics uniquely positions him to guide Universal Design integration and planning for events of all sizes. From executive guidance, overlay procurement and delivery, to operational strategies.
Training capacity building

Training & Capacity Building

Tailored workshops and training modules for architects, property developers, government staff, and construction professionals. Sessions cover legislative requirements, design best practices, and hands-on application of universal design principles.

Policy Advisory & Strategic Planning

Nick has supported national organisations, Federal, State and local governments in creating accessibility policies, inclusive action plans, and citywide frameworks for universal design and accessibility.
Client workshops design reviews

Client Workshops

Nick regularly facilitates stakeholder engagement sessions, co-design workshops, technical committees and reviews with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications & accreditations

Degree

Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement)

Diploma

Diploma of Education

Diploma

Diploma of Accessibility Consulting

Graduate

Australian Institute of Company Directors

Certificate

Cert 4 in Workplace Assessment & Training

Accreditation

Accredited Member — ACAA

Assessor

Liveable Housing Association (LHA)

Assessor

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Awards & Recognition

Gold Medal — 1996 Atlanta Paralympics

Wheelchair basketball — Aussie Rollers

SportBusiness Silver Medal

2008 Beijing Paralympics

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Australian Sports Medal

National sporting achievement

Order of Australia Medal

Services to sport

Board Positions

Spinal Research Institute of Australia

Ambassador

Building Appeals Board (Vic)

Board member

Building Appeals Board (Vic)

Board member

Hawthorn Football Club

Community Foundation — Board member

Universal Design

The provision of best practice Universal Design requires infrastructure, training, operations & communications that are seamlessly delivered for all people including those with accessibility needs.

The beneficiaries of universal design extend far beyond those with permanent disabilities — it encompasses anyone who may benefit from thoughtful, inclusive environments.
  • People who use wheelchairs or mobility aids
  • People who use canes or assistance animals
  • People use hearing assistance
  • People with carers or support workers
  • Young families with infants
  • Nursing mothers / carers
  • People of large stature i.e. bariatric
  • People of short stature
  • Temporary injuries or illnesses
  • People from diverse cultural backgrounds
  • Non English speaking
  • Older adults
  • People with luggage
  • Fashion e.g. people wearing high heels
  • School or community groups
  • People injured in fire and emergency incidences
  • Those who suffer fatigue

Accessible tourism in Australia in 2024 was estimated at $29.4B, while the NDIS budget in 2025/2026 is $52.3B. Neither of these take into account everyday spend, which is influenced by positive marketing such as the Paralympics.

Contractual Details

Director rate

$400/hr

$3,000 per day (ex GST)

ACN

167 083 865

Public liability

$20M

CGU — Exp 12.6.26

Professional indemnity

$5M / $10M

Pacific Indemnity — Exp 12.6.26

Contact Nick

Whether you’re working on a building, city plan, national event, or policy review, Nick wants to discuss an upcoming project or get advice on how to improve accessibility in your environment?

Let’s start a conversation. Work for everyone—without compromise.

Nick Morris
NM Consulting

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