Aug 10, 2025 04:22:40 AM

Accessible Singapore

Checklist: Is Your Public Space Truly Accessible?

Singapore prides itself on being one of Asia’s most accessible cities, but accessibility goes far beyond ramps and elevators. True accessibility is about inclusion, a seamless experience for everyone, regardless of ability. If you manage, design, or evaluate public spaces in Singapore, it’s time to ask a deeper question: Is your space accessible?


This checklist offers a comprehensive guide to assessing the inclusiveness of your space, covering physical access, sensory considerations, information clarity, and more. Based on global best practices and Singapore’s own Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Universal Design Guidelines, this post is both a resource and a call to action.


1. Step-Free and Barrier-Free Access


  • Is the entrance to your building completely step-free?
  • Are doorways at least 850mm wide and fitted with automatic or easy-to-open doors?
  • Are there ramps with handrails on both sides and non-slip surfaces?
  • Do elevators serve all levels, with controls at wheelchair height (between 900mm–1200mm)?
  • Are all paths between key areas (e.g., entrances, toilets, service counters) obstacle-free?


Image source: accessrating.com


Red Flag: Having one wheelchair lift tucked behind a loading bay isn’t enough. Step-free access should be part of the main experience, not a backdoor solution.


2. Inclusive Toilets and Hygiene Facilities


  • Are there gender-neutral accessible toilets on every floor or near major zones?
  • Is there a changing place or adult-sized changing table in at least one restroom?
  • Are sinks, hand dryers, and mirrors at a usable height for seated individuals?



Tip: Universal design benefits everyone, including parents with strollers or seniors with mobility challenges.


3. Signage and Wayfinding


  • Are signs readable from a distance, with large, high-contrast fonts?
  • Do you include Braille or tactile indicators at key junctions (e.g., elevators, toilets)?
  • Are maps and directories available in print and digital formats?
  • Do you use internationally recognised icons and consistent placement for signs?



Bonus: Audio-enabled navigation via QR codes can provide further independence for blind or low-vision users.


4. Visual and Auditory Cues


  • Are there clear visual cues for exits, alarms, or service desks?
  • Are emergency alarms both audible and visible (e.g., flashing lights)?
  • Do you offer quiet spaces or noise-cancelling zones for neurodiverse individuals?
  • Is background music kept at a moderate level, or turned off during sensory-friendly hours?


5. Customer Service and Staff Training


  • Are staff trained to interact with persons with disabilities (PwDs)?
  • Do frontline teams know how to assist wheelchair users, communicate with deaf customers, or respond to cognitive impairments?
  • Is there a clear point of contact for accessibility feedback?


Image source: redcross.sg


Highlight: The Enabling Academy offers training modules for staff on inclusive communication and customer service.


6. Digital Accessibility


  • Is your website WCAG-compliant (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)?
  • Do online booking systems work with screen readers and keyboard navigation?
  • Are menus, maps, or guides downloadable in accessible PDF or audio versions?


Image source: sgenable.sg


Case Study: Gardens by the Bay’s website offers downloadable guides and screen-reader-friendly layouts, which are good benchmarks.


7. Public Seating and Queueing Systems


  • Are seats available along long walkways for people who need frequent breaks?
  • Are queueing systems inclusive of people with cognitive disabilities or mobility devices?
  • Do you offer alternative service counters for seated users?



8. Transport and Drop-Off Access


  • Is there a sheltered drop-off zone for wheelchairs or guide dogs?
  • Are parking lots equipped with accessible bays close to entrances?
  • Are bus stops or MRT links nearby clearly marked and barrier-free?


Image source: grab.com/sg


Note: Include detailed directions for visitors using wheelchairs, including whether there are slopes, lifts, or tactile paths from the station to your site.


9. Emergency Preparedness


  • Do emergency evacuation plans consider persons with disabilities?
  • Are refuge areas designated and marked?
  • Are there evacuation chairs and trained personnel to assist?


Image source: slate.com


10. Feedback and Continuous Improvement


  • Is there a visible feedback system (physical and digital) for accessibility-related suggestions?
  • Do you conduct regular accessibility audits and update infrastructure accordingly?
  • Are persons with disabilities consulted in your design or upgrade processes?


Image source: flickr.com


Encouragement: Accessibility is a journey, not a checkbox. Continuous feedback helps build a culture of inclusion.


Beyond Compliance


Making your space truly accessible is more than a legal obligation; it's a moral imperative. Whether you're in a café, museum, government building, hawker centre, or shopping mall, everyone should feel welcome, comfortable, and empowered.


Use this checklist as a guide to assess and improve your public space. Share it with colleagues, facility managers, or policymakers. And if you're ever in doubt, invite someone with lived experience to walk the space with you.


True inclusion begins with asking, listening, and taking action.


Visit www.accessible-singapore.com for precinct-specific guides and inspiring examples of inclusive design done right.

We’re also committed to walking the talk in our interactions with persons of different abilities.