BCA strives to make buildings more accessible

Source : Straits Times – 1 May 2009

I REFER to the concerns raised by Madam Lucy Ng in her letter last Saturday, ‘No, it’s a bumpy ride’. We recognise the current challenges faced by users with diverse mobility needs, especially in older buildings built before the 1990 Code on Barrier-free Accessibility in Buildings came into effect.

To prepare for an ageing population and promote an inclusive society, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) mapped out a five-year Barrier-free Accessibility Masterplan in 2006 to improve accessibility in the city.

In particular, we have extended a $40 million Accessibility Fund for building owners to upgrade buildings with accessible features. So far, 26 pre-1990 buildings have tapped the fund, and we encourage more building owners to use this fund to improve accessibility in and around their buildings.

For new buildings, BCA regularly reviews the accessibility code with user groups, the private sector and other government agencies to ensure they are able to meet the needs of not just wheelchair users, but also the elderly and ambulant disabled.

It was unfortunate that both lifts at the Tiong Bahru market were under service when Madam Ng and her mother visited. Nonetheless, we would like to highlight that building owners are required to keep the accessible features in their premises well-maintained and functional to facilitate movement of people with diverse mobility needs.

Like Madam Ng, we are concerned about the extent of barrier-free accessibility in the built environment and we have progressively been assessing buildings and rating their levels of accessibility. We would like to highlight that a database of buildings with user-friendly and accessible features is available on our Friendly Built Environment Portal (www.friendlybuildings.sg). Users can access information on the location of accessible entrances and facilities in shopping complexes, food centres, offices and parks. There are 700 buildings in our database and we are continually adding to the list.

We would like to assure Madam Ng that BCA works with both public agencies, user communities and private sector organisations to shape a friendly built environment for all. We seek everyone’s support to be considerate of the needs of individuals with diverse mobility needs, by extending help where possible and leveraging on BCA’s initiatives to provide seamless mobility for all.

Chin Chi LeongDirectorBuilding Plan Management DivisionBuilding and Construction Authority