Guide to Universal Design index (UDi)

The aim of this guidebook is to assist the reader in understanding the user-friendly features that could be incorporated in building design to shape a more inclusive built environment. Architects, designers and building owners could refer to this guide and utilise the Universal Design index (UDi) self-assessment framework to gauge the level of user-friendliness of their design or buildings.

The UDi is to be completed and submitted by a Qualified Person (QP) as part of their application for Building Plan approval, Temporary Occupation Permit or Certificate of Statutory Completion.

The UDi is to be submitted, taking into account the entire building in cases where it comprises of,

• New building(s) with a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of more than 500m²; or

• Additions and alteration (A&A) works to an existing building involving more than 50% of the existing GFA and where the total Gross Floor Area (GFA) is more than 500m²; or

• A&A works to an existing building involving more than 50% of the total number of storey in the building and where the total Gross Floor Area (GFA) is more than 500m²

For other A&A works not described above, the UDi is to be submitted for the area of A&A works only.

The following projects do not require the submission of UDi,

• Non-buildings, such as linkways, covered drop-offs, bus stops, pedestrian overhead bridges, underpasses and the like; or

• Landed residential; or

• Buildings with total GFA of 500m² or less.

QPs and building owners are also encouraged to use the UDi at the conceptual or building design stage to set targets for inclusive design or consider user-friendly features that could be incorporated to realise benefits for their building users.

The premise of Universal Design is to design for as many user groups, to the maximum extent possible, so that more people of varying needs and abilities can live, work, learn and play in the building. The UDi sets out to provide indicators on the level of user-friendliness for key user groups – persons with disability, the elderly, families with young children and expectant or nursing mothers – all of whom have their own needs and require sensitive consideration and design accommodations.

Based on the user-friendly features that are provided in the building, the UDi will indicate the level of user-friendliness for each user group as shown in the below table. Up to four additional stars could be obtained on top of the single star for a design that complies with the minimum requirement in the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment.

The aggregate of the level of user-friendliness across the user groups will provide a Universal Design index rating for the building to indicate how successful they are in universal design implementation. The range of UDi ratings and its indication of a building’s overall level of user friendliness is detailed in the table below.

The UDi checklist contains a list of user-friendly features that could be implemented within a project. QPs and developers are encouraged to use the checklist at an early stage of their design development to guide, enhance or set the standard of user-friendliness for their projects.

QPs and developers only need to input information into the yellow-coloured cells, such as quantities, Yes/No, project details or location of certain user-friendly features. Points are automatically computed based on the inputs. The diagram on the following page shows an extract of the checklist and the key features of the form.

The following guide is organised to provide explanatory notes and photos of user-friendly features that are listed in the Universal Design index form.

The provision of an inclusive building starts as the user arrives at the building. This includes the inter-connectivity from street or transport infrastructure leading into the building.

Accessible Pedestrian Entrances into Building

Refers to entrances which users can use to enter the building/development on foot.

Refers to pedestrian entrances which wheelchair users can use to enter the building/development, located on accessible routes complying with the requirements in the Code.

Refers to an accessible route which is sheltered starting from outside of the building/development leading into the accessible entrance of the building/development.

Seating which allow users to rest while waiting for their vehicle would benefit the elderly, expectant mothers, young children or the ambulant disabled. The provision of grab bars for seats would further assist the elderly in sitting down and getting up.

As wheelchair users require more time for them to transfer from their wheelchair into the vehicle and to stowaway their wheelchair, the provision of sheltered accessible alighting and boarding point would provide convenience and reduce the anxiety during transfer.

Refers to the provision of accessible routes from one block to another block within a multi block development.

Refers to the provision of direct accessible routes from one development to adjacent development(s) without going through the public footpath, which brings convenience to everyone.

Close proximity of transport infrastructure to the building/development with accessible connections would facilitate access by everyone who relies on public transport.

Close proximity of street infrastructure to the building/development with accessible connections would facilitate the crossing of busy streets when accessing the building/development.

Direct connections with the expanded commuting network would provide additional means of access for users.

Adequate provision of accessible car park lots that are located near to lift lobbies or accessible entrances and distributed evenly across the development would provide more flexibility for drivers with disabilities to park at their most convenient locations and enable easier access to their destination within the building/development.

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, drivers with disabilities may require larger car park lots with electric charging facilities for their vehicle.

Adequate provision of larger-sized family parking lots serves a wide range of users and purposes. Families would have more space to set up or stowaway their prams or assist their elderly family members who may need to transfer to and fro wheelchairs. Drivers with disabilities could also use such lots.

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, drivers that may require the use of family parking lots may also require electric charging facilities for their vehicle.

After arriving at the building, the ease of travelling around the development or building is equally important so users can arrive at their destinations safely and conveniently. These include travelling on the same floor or in between floors.

Designated pedestrian walkways in car parks provide a safe route for people to walk within the car parks. Such walkways should be located away from the vehicular driveway to mitigate the risk of vehicular-pedestrian accidents.

Designated pedestrian crossings in car park provide a safer route for pedestrians by means of limiting possible hazard zones for drivers.

The widths for the primary accessible routes as specified in the Code are minimum requirements to enable the safe and adequate passage of users.

Designers are encouraged to design sufficient widths, which may be more than the minimum required, to allow for better flow of human traffic, which may be a mix of wheelchair users, families with prams, or persons with bulky mobility aids.

For equitable and convenient access for everyone throughout the building/development, providing more than 1.5m width for all passageways would allow comfortable travelling in most instances.

All ramps, where provided, must comply with requirements as specified in the Code on Accessibility such as detectable warning surfaces, handrails on both sides, edge protection etc.

Provision of handrails at a lower level would enable children to hold onto a railing to navigate ramps independently and safely. Parents can also free up their hands to perform other actions, such as holding on to bags or groceries or pushing a pram with another child.

Provision of braille and tactile indicators would provide feedback for persons with visual impairment to inform them on where they are heading to.

Ramp landings serves as a means for users to rest while travelling along the ramp as well as to break a fall. Provision of a deeper landing provides more space for such purposes.

All staircases, where provided, must comply with requirements as specified in the Code on Accessibility such as detectable warning surfaces, handrails on both sides, edge protection etc.

Staircases with a gentler pitch would be easier for users to travel along.

Handrail provision on both sides of staircases would provide users with support or guidance regardless of their dominant hand or direction of travel, especially when there are users travelling in both directions.

Provision of handrails at a lower level would enable children to hold onto a railing to navigate staircases independently and safely. Parents can also free up their hands to perform other actions, such as holding on to bags or groceries.

Provision of braille and tactile indicators on handrails would provide feedback for persons with visual impairment to inform them on where they are heading to as they use the handrails to guide their movements. Provision of braille and tactile signage on wall at storey landing would inform them of the storey that they are on before going up or down the staircase.

Horizontal sections of such inclined moving walks would allow users to steady themselves before the inclined movement begins and to anticipate the end of the journey and get ready to step off the escalator or travellator.

As an additional safety measure to mitigate the risk of falling from height or collision with protruding elements.

For areas with an anticipated high volume of human traffic, guiderails could guide the movement of users away from the escalator landings to prevent congestion.

Audio feedback would allow persons with visual impairment or distracted users to be alerted to the travellator’s direction of travel or end of the travellator.

Accessible lifts are required to have additional provisions for wheelchair users, including a minimum lift car size of 1.2m by 1.4m, provision of control panel on the side of the lift car and non-breakable mirror at the rear of lift car interiors.

Seats allow users to rest while waiting for the lift.

Refers to lantern extending out from the wall that lights up when the lift arrives. This would help waiting users to easily identify the lift that has arrived, especially where there are multiple lifts within the same lobby.

An emergency communication system that is linked to a hearing enhancement system would allow persons with hearing impairment to communicate.

A visual information display system that can display messages would allow persons with hearing impairment to understand the situation, receive updates as well as any instructions in the event of a lift malfunction or breakdown.

Seats which allow users to rest would benefit the elderly, expectant mothers, young children or the ambulant disabled. Provision of seating spaces is deemed adequate if the seating spaces are provided at key activity areas or key spaces where users are expected to gather for a period of time.

The provision of grab bars for seats would further assist users in sitting down and getting up.

Seating designed with a variety of heights would better cater to a group of users who may consist of elderly, adults and young children. Adjacent seating would allow them to sit together.

Space(s) should be provided near seating so wheelchair users can communicate naturally with their friends who are seated. The same space(s) can also be used to park prams. These spaces should not extend out into the main circulation path.

Adequate and good provision of way-finding features would allow users to efficiently navigate the building and locate important destinations.

A directory showing the location of key destinations at the entrance to the building would allow users to orientate themselves and to identify destinations for efficient navigation.

The use of universally understood pictograms would reduce the need for text, which is dependent on language, literacy and legibility.

Reflective signs are prone to glare which diminishes the legibility of the signs. Having adequate contrast between the text and the background would allow the information to be easily read and allow users to efficiently and effectively identify the route to take.

The indication of distance to accessible features such as accessible toilets, lifts, nursing rooms would provide users with a gauge on the time and/or distance required for them to arrive at their destination.

Key spatial zones include examples like east/west wings, north/south towers, atriums or similar. Key circulation routes/paths could include lift lobbies, circulation “spine” or nodes connecting various circulation routes.

Lift lobbies should be prominently identified. Other design features such as use of shapes, colours, patterns or graphics on columns to sub-divide the car park into identifiable zones would facilitate location of parked vehicles.

Uniquely designed blocks, especially in multi block developments, allows easier orientation and identification of the user within the development.

Provision of information counters would allow users, especially first-time visitors to the building, to seek assistance or to obtain information on facilities within the building. Such information counters should be provided with hearing enhancement systems and a lowered accessible counter suitable for wheelchair users to better serve more users with varied abilities.

An information counter located in close proximity to where users would enter the building would allow users who require assistance to easily locate the information counter.

Provision of hearing enhancement systems would allow users to seek assistance and to participate in activities, similar to their able-bodied counterparts.

Information/service counters provided with hearing enhancement systems would allow staff to communicate with persons with hearing impairment and provide service and assistance. Provision of hearing enhancement systems at more counters would provide more convenience for the user.

A wider coverage of auditoriums and halls would provide more flexibility for persons with hearing impairment in terms of where they can sit and allowing them to seamlessly participate in the activity with the rest of the participants.

A key challenge for persons with visual impairment is to understand and navigate their surroundings. Careful integration of provisions for persons with visual impairment would allow them to understand their surroundings through touch, or for them to seek assistance.

Guide dogs serves persons with visual impairment by guiding their owner from point to point while avoiding obstacles and hazards. The provision of a seating space for a guide dog owner and their guide dog would allow the person with visual impairment to participate in activities that are set in auditoriums and halls.

Visually impaired persons can understand the context which they are in via a braille and tactile directory. The tactile map would consist of raised features to show their current location, routes, spaces and buildings. This would be complemented with braille descriptions of spaces and buildings. As this directory would be read via touch, designers are encouraged to place the directory such that it can be comfortably reached by persons with visual impairment.

Such signs allow persons with visual impairment to verify their destination spaces before entering. Apart from provision of braille, tactile signs are important for users who do not know braille. The raised letters would allow users to make out the text via touch.

Persons with visual impairment are trained to navigate from point to point via a memory map. Therefore, they are unable to navigate when they are in a new unknown space. The provision of tactile tiles from the entrances of buildings to the information counter would allow persons with visual impairment to locate the information counter for further assistance.

A series of directional and warning tactile indicators can be provided in transportation nodes to guide persons with visual impairment to key accessible facilities or to queues to board trains and buses within the station. As more integrated transport hubs are created within privately owned developments, it is important to continue the providing directional tactile so that persons with visual impairment have a consistent experience when transferring from one transportation node to another.

To allow persons with disabilities to stay within the building for a longer period of time for work or play, sanitary facilities which support their needs are important provisions.

Larger unisex washroom with supporting features like grab bars allows for more manoeuvring space within the washroom for motorised wheelchairs or scooters.

It is not encouraged for accessible individual washroom to be combined with the family toilet as a person with disability may be unable to use the washroom when needed.

Accessible changing rooms are provided with height adjustable beds for caregivers of persons with multiple or severe disabilities to change and clean their loved ones. The bed provides a clean and hygienic space. With the ability to change and clean for them, the caregiver and the person with disability would be able to spend more time outdoors instead of having to return home to perform such tasks.

A mechanical hoist aids the caregiver in transferring the person with disability from the wheelchair to the changing bed.

The provision of grab bars adjacent to the water closets/urinals/wash basins would provide support for users who may need them, including the elderly or users who are injured or not feeling well.

For the convenience of families with young children and nursing mothers, provision of family friendly facilities is encouraged for families to spend more time out together.

Such standalone toilets with both adult and child sized sanitary facilities allow parents to bring their children to the toilet regardless of their gender.

Lactation rooms are spaces where mothers can nurse/feed their babies or to express milk. Therefore, it is important that lactation rooms should not be within toilets. Lactation rooms should also be private and comfortable for mothers to nurse their babies. Power points should also be provided for mothers who may choose to express milk for subsequent use.

A designated nursing room would consist of all necessary provisions to allow parents to clean and change their children as well as for mothers to nurse their babies. There should be privacy segregation between the nursing area and the other features such as diaper changing station, wash basin and hot water dispenser since fathers can assist with such activities while mothers would be the primary users of lactation areas.

Provision of sufficient space within the nursing room would bring about greater convenience to the users.

Where there is provision of child-specific facilities such as water play areas and playgrounds, designated children’s toilets are encouraged. Such provisions would not only better accommodate the smaller stature of children but would also promote independent usage by children without over relying on parents.

The provision of child-friendly basin within gender specific toilets should take into consideration children’s height and reach for independent usage. Therefore, the basins must be located at an appropriate height and should not be as deep as adult sized basins.

Such water closets within gender specific toilets must be child-sized. Use of seat adapters over adult-sized WCs are not acceptable as such WCs are still too high. Provision of step/stool to mitigate the height would pose safety risks and are not practicable in public toilets.

Child-friendly urinals within gender specific toilets should be installed at an appropriate height with appropriate measures to allow the triggering of flush system by children.

Provision of child-friendly urinal in the female toilet would allow mothers to accompany their young boys to use the toilet.

Children must be able to shower independently in such child-friendly showers. The tap and shower head (if operable) should be at a child-appropriate height.

Child-protection seats provide with a space for parents to rest their young children while they use the toilet. Therefore, such child-protection seats should not be located in the common area of the gender specific toilet as the parent is unable to supervise while they are within the cubicle. Such provision must be in both male and female toilets.

Diaper changing stations provides a clean safe space for parents to change the diapers for their young children. Where diaper changing stations are provided in gender specific toilets, they must be in both male and female toilets.

To ensure persons with disabilities and the elderly have access to hotel and/or service apartments rooms which can support their needs, hotels and service apartments are required to provide a minimum number of such rooms.

* Applicable to service apartments, hotels, hostels and the like only.

Accessible rooms would allow wheelchair users to access the room, have enough manoeuvring space within the room and appropriate safety features within the bathroom. Refer to the specific requirements in the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment. It is encouraged for such rooms to be distributed across different room tiers to provide more choices for wheelchair users.

Elder-friendly rooms would provide safety features for elderly guests using the rooms. This may consist of grab bars next to the bed and bathroom.

For an inclusive society, persons with disabilities and the elderly should be able to participate in communal activities. It is therefore important for such social and recreational facilities to be designed to facilitate their participation.

A variety of gardening plots could be designed for various needs and users. Raised gardening plots would benefit the elderly, reducing the need for them to bend over, while raised gardening plots with knee space for wheelchair users would also allow them to engage in such activities. Appropriate floor finishes should also be considered such that wheelchair users can manoeuvre safety and easily. Stepping stones, turfed, sandy or gravel lined paths are not conducive for wheelchair users.

A variety of gym equipment could be provided, including those that are able to accommodate wheelchair users, allowing them to benefit from such machines. Free weights are not considered as equipment.

Such provisions would encourage a healthy lifestyle for the elderly without compromising safety.

The co-location of play and fitness facilities would cater for the needs of different members of the family, while allowing them to enjoy the activity together. This would also allow easy supervision of children by their parents or grandparents.

To promote a more inclusive play environment, various play equipment, including those that can cater for a wheelchair-bound child could be provided.

Means of access for wheelchair users could be in the form of ramps into the pool, or transfer platforms allowing wheelchairs to transfer onto the platform before descending into the pool. Accessible rinsing showers must have adequate space, appropriate floor finishes as well as accessible controls.

The provision of designated wheelchair seating spaces would allow wheelchair users to participate in the activities that may be taking place on the courts by being a spectator.

A quiet room is a safe, enclosed space with reduced sensory interference which caregivers can bring persons with special needs into to calm down during episodes of outbursts. Library collection for persons with disabilities could include braille texts, or specialised topics pertaining to disabilities.

Provision of drinking fountains at different heights would benefit a greater range of users. Adults could utilise the higher-level drinking fountain, while children or wheelchair users could use the lower-level drinking fountain.

Accessible letterboxes are configured such that a wheelchair user would be able to reach the topmost and lowermost letterbox.

Accessible BBQ facilities should take into consideration the provision of knee space for wheelchair users so that they can take part in the typical activities relating to BBQ, such as preparation of food, washing or cooking.

As residential developments usually do not undergo major retrofitting works after it is constructed, the upfront provision of user-friendly features would benefit persons with disabilities or the elderly to age in-place comfortably in a familiar environment.

* Applicable to non-landed residential developments only.

Allows for easy access into the unit for wheelchair users

Provides ease of use for all user groups, including wheelchair users, children and adults.

Provides ease of use particularly for persons with physical deformities or joint problems by eliminating the need for fine motor movement for inserting and turning a key.

Benefit wheelchair users or children as they are able to view out of the unit.

Allows for easy access for wheelchair users

Provides sufficient space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre

Such carpentry design should cater to the reaches of a wheelchair user to enable independent use.

Sufficient provision must be made to allow the use of such smart home systems that can benefit residents with mobility or vision challenges.

Provisions should be aimed at minimising travel or trial and error.

Such handles would allow make it easier for wheelchair users to operate windows.

The provision of a built-in seat in the shower stall would benefit the elderly who would be able to have a safe platform to sit while showering.

The vibration or light indicators would inform persons with hearing impairment when the doorbell is triggered.

Adjustable/retractable clothes drying rack would benefit users of different statures and physical capabilities.

Provision of such alerting features at deliberate/high-risk locations would facilitate the residents in seeking help when needed.

As temporary places of accommodation, it is encouraged for such rooms to be designed to cater to as many user groups as possible.

Provides visibility for the bathroom user without disturbing other occupants

Such carpentry design should cater to the reaches of a wheelchair user to enable independent use.

Provides better legibility for persons with poorer eyesight.

Provision of such alerting features at deliberate/high-risk locations would facilitate the guest in seeking help when needed.

Height adjustable beds could be better customised to the needs of the guest.

The vibration or light indicators would inform persons with hearing impairment when the doorbell is triggered.

Such rooms accommodating more person, both adults and children would allow a family to stay together within the same room for greater convenience.

Where family sized rooms are not available, provision of connecting rooms would allow easy access to an adjacent room for greater convenience.

A project which starts with a clear intention of catering to as many user groups as possible would guide the project team during construction and even after the project is completed and operational.

A consultant who has a good understanding of the needs of various disabilities and various user groups is important to shape the project and enable use by the intended user groups, while not leaving out user groups with specific needs.

While consultants can design for the intended user groups, building developers/owners who understands the importance of catering to their intended user groups can guide the project team through specifying user-friendly provisions. A project manager who understands the needs of users with various abilities can ensure that such needs are addressed during construction.

It is encouraged for project teams to engage and consult with universal design or accessibility specialists, disability organisations or other relevant user groups so that the team can hear and understand first-hand the needs of persons with disabilities, or other user groups with specific needs (elderly, families with young children and expectant/nursing mothers).

General consultation or design development discussions with the project’s users are not considered to satisfy this criterion. For example, consultation with in-house operators and nurses for a nursing home etc would not fulfil the intent of this criteria.