Oral answer by Ministry of National Development on whether the Government will consider mandating shopping malls and other public buildings to plan for and set aside lift cars that are

Oct 16, 2024

Question No: 6628

Question by: Mr Saktiandi Supaat

To ask the Minister for National Development whether the Government will consider mandating shopping malls and other public buildings to plan for and set aside lift cars that are purpose-built to accommodate more users of baby prams, wheelchairs and personal mobility aids to make these places more friendly for families.

Answer:

The Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA’s) Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment ("Code") specifies that where lifts are provided in a building, at least one lift must be made accessible for wheelchair users. These lifts are required to have sufficient manoeuvring space for wheelchairs, and accessible features such as conveniently placed lift buttons, mirrors and grab bars, that would benefit other lift users including those using personal mobility aids and prams.

The BCA encourages buildings owners and developers to tailor their accessible facilities to the profile of their users, and go beyond baseline Code standards where needed, especially for places with high public footfall. This could involve providing more accessible lifts or implementing priority access arrangements that improve the lift user experience.

Creating an inclusive society extends beyond the provision of accessible facilities and features. BCA partners with the Singapore Kindness Movement to promote gracious use of accessible facilities, including initiatives to encourage the public to prioritise lift access for those with greater needs.