Best Practices and Guidelines

AccessibilityUniversal

Architectural Services Department

Preface Research Report on "Universal Accessibility:Best Practices and Guidelines”

Hong Kong similar to many other Countries isbecoming an aging society. The proportion of ourelderly is increasing rapidly. It is estimated that theelderly population in Hong Kong will increase to21.5% of the total population by 2026. Since the1970’s, the Hong Kong Government has developedservices for the elderly; and in 1994 adopted the"Aging in Place" policy regarding elderly services.

The concept of "Aging in Place" entails that the builtenvironment provides a variety of choices in livingarrangements, as well as be adaptable to thechanging needs and health circumstance ofresidents without requiring drastic environmentalchanges. This concept can be further elaboratedto encourage the elderly and people with disabilitiesto independently enjoy their living environment,instead of being restricted by potential physicalbarriers. It is understood that confining a persononly in indoor activities is not a healthy habit,especially to people with disabilities and the elderly.

One of the major aims of a Barrier-free andAccessible environment is to facilitate and promotea healthy life style for all. The Concept of "UniversalDesign", "Inclusion by Design" and "Design-for-All"is to be the essence. Universal Accessibility is nota trend, but an enduring design approach whichassumes that the range of human ability is ordinary,not special. It is all about integrating the continuumof the micro-and macro-perspectives of thesurrounding world. It embodies universality byincorporating accessible facilities as well asaccessible building features and equipment which,to the greatest extent possible, designs that can beused by everyone, regardless of age and physicalabilities.

The approach to Universal Accessibility recognizes

that accessible systems, reliable information sources,and enabling environments can maximize choiceand enhance the ability of a wider range of thepopulation including the elderly and people withdisabilities to live Independently, Proactively andhence Enjoyably.

The Architectural Services Department is to behighly commended for taking such initiative toresearch and publish this Report on "UniversalAccessibility: Best Practices and Guidelines",possibly the first of its kind in Hong Kong. Thedesign considerations and best practice standardswill provide most useful and cutting edge guidelinesfor professionals and architectural practitioners intheir pursuit of a socially responsive building design.

A barrier-free, accessible and user-friendlyenvironment is the ideal to reach in any community.Our aim is to work towards an environment that isnon-handicapping, that promotes freedom of choiceand independence, and respects the individuals'right to live a full life with dignity irrespective of ageand disability. This Research Report by theArchitectural Services Department will greatlycontribute towards achieving this common goal,thus is to be congratulated for initiating such majorsteps towards building an accessible and qualityenvironment for a quality future for the people ofHong Kong.

Joseph Kwan, MHEnvironmental Advisory ServiceReHabAid Society

23 November, 2004

Contents Preface

Introduction 51.1 Background1.2 Objectives1.3 Study methods

Universal Design and Technical 9Requirements2.1 Universal accessibility2.2 Legislation and standards

Barriers to Buildings and 15Community Facilities3.1 Barriers in accessibility3.2 Planning approach to minimise barriers

Case Studies and Interviews 214.1 Case A and user feedback4.2 Case B and user feedback4.3 Interviews

Design Considerations 535.1 Access to facilities5.2 Pathways5.3 Parking and loading/unloading areas5.4 External areas and landscaping5.5 Entrances and exits5.6 Lifts5.7 Way finding, signage and guidance5.8 Sanitary and health care facilities5.9 Furniture, fixture and fittings5.10 User requirements and building management

Best Practices and Guidelines 696.1 Access strategy6.2 Walkways and ramps6.3 Car parking6.4 External circulation, landscaped areas and

6.5 Internal circulation, doorways and handrails6.6 Lifts and platform lifts6.7 Stairways, escalators and travellators6.8 Way finding and signage6.9 Tactile surfaces6.10 Assistive listening systems6.11 Sanitary facilities : toilets, showers, baby

changing and ancillary facilities6.12 Kitchen and laundry6.13 Windows6.14 Fixed seating venues6.15 Other facilities : counters, public telephones

6.17 Maintenance and review

Universal Accessibility Photo Gallery 1337.1 Car parking7.2 Outdoor furniture7.3 Way finding and signage7.4 Maps and directories7.5 Doors and hardwares7.6 Tactile surfaces7.7 Ramps and dropped kerbs7.8 Stairways7.9 Handrails7.10 Lifts and platform lifts7.11 Building services installations7.12 Sanitary facilities7.13 Counters7.14 Fixed seating venues7.15 Furniture and equipment7.16 Other facilities

Acknowledgements 149References 150Appendix : Survey questionnaires

Introduction 1

1.1 Background1.1.1 Hong Kong Profile

6 Universal Accessibility – Best Practices and Guidelines Architectural Services Department

Hong Kong: a dynamic city

1.1.1 Hong Kong ProfileHong Kong is a dynamic city and nothing remainsstatic for long. This is true with our population status.According to the household survey conducted in 2003by the Census and Statistics Department of HKSARGovernment, the elderly population in Hong Kong ison the upward trend. The percentage of total populationwith the age of 65 and above in 2003 was 11.7% i.e.369,300 people. The projected percentage ofpopulation aged 65 and over in mid 2031 is 24% andthe aging population trend is also reflected by themedian age of the population increasing from 37 in2001 to 46 in 2031.

This, together with the survey result from a report onPersons with Disabilities and Chronic Diseasespublished in 2001 by the Census and StatisticsDepartment, give a picture of the changing populationprofile in Hong Kong. The report estimated that thepercentage of total population with disability, that is,restriction in body movement, visual impairment,hearing impairment, speech impairment, mental illness

The issue of disability is a degree of relativity to a fitand able-bodied adult in his lifetime. A fit person whohas twisted his ankle or suffered from more seriousinjury could be considered as temporarily disabled insome aspects. The temporary disablement impliesthat the person cannot negotiate steps and changesin level without crutches or even a wheelchair isrequired for access. An infant has to be taken careof by an adult who has to rely on an “assisted device”like a pram or pushchair. Some are dependent onassisted devices for a long period of their life e.g. ashort sighted person has to rely on corrective glassesand as people get older, the visual impairment becomemore apparent. At the other end of the scale, thereare ambulant people with disabilities and wheelchairusers.

People in transit

1

Access to the top

1.1.2 Accessibility in Hong KongIn the past, the accessibility needs of the above sectorsare sometimes overlooked, as most provisions tendto cater for the fit and able-bodied who are most mobileand vocal. If access to a facility is not barrier free, itwould prohibit easy use. In this age of advanceinformation and technology, we should strive to builda sustainable environment with facilities and servicesthat facilitate universal accessibility.

In order to address the accessibility issues, variousconcepts and design principles have been developedand promoted under the umbrella of “Universal Design”and “Inclusion by Design”. Designers around the worldhave taken up the challenge and provided solutionsto facilitate accessibility. For example, more thoughtis given to the design of automatic doorways andramps to address various groups of users and tofacilitate accessibility. Accessible toilet facilities aredesigned with baby safety seats, adult and child sizefittings, and special support rails for the elderly and

1.1.2 Accessibility in Hong KongIn Hong Kong, universal accessibility is graduallyimproving. The statutory requirements on disabledaccess have been in force since 1984. Suchrequirements were revised to provide barrier freeaccess to buildings in 1997. Furthermore, the DisabilityDiscrimination Ordinance, which came into operationin 1996, gives the legal reasons for the people withdisabilities to fight for equal opportunities and againstdiscrimination.

Hong Kong is a place with limited land resourcestherefore the use of every inch of land, especially inthe urban area, has to be maximised. Efforts to providebarrier free access in an already cramped built uparea is not easy. This has resulted in solutions basedon minimum provisions which have been found to beinsufficient and inefficient. In recognising theinadequacies, the barrier free access requirementsare now under review.

Access on elevated walkway Access on ground

1

Architectural Services Department Universal Accessibility – Best Practices and Guidelines 7

1.1.3 Initiative of ArchitecturalServices Department

1.2 Objectives1.3 Study Methods

8 Universal Accessibility – Best Practices and Guidelines Architectural Services Department

1.1.3 Initiative of ArchitecturalServices Department

People with different abilities are part of ourcommunity. They, like all others are entitled to playan active role in the community life. Thus, the HongKong Special Administrative Region Governmenthas encouraged community care and integration.With these two initiatives which coincide with currentphilosophy in “Universal Design”, notions of diversityin design and caring for people of all ages andabilities are promoted. The needs of a wider spectrumof people are addressed by inclusive design. Inconsideration of higher public expectations, changingpopulation profile and to facilitate better accessopportunities, the Architectural Services Department(ArchSD) has set up a working group to study theissues and prepare a paper on the subject.

1.2 ObjectivesThe overall purpose of the study is to promote“Universal Design” for ArchSD public buildings andopen space projects focusing on planning, buildingand maintaining an accessible environment.

The specific objectives are:-• To increase awareness of universal accessibility

issues;• To initiate innovative design towards a more

accessible and sustainable environment; and• To recommend best practices and designguidelines on universal accessibility to facilitatethe widest spectrum of users to access publicbuildings and services independently.

1 1.3 Study MethodsThe study makes reference to Legislation andStandards in Hong Kong, Universal Design conceptas well as local and overseas examples. Visits havebeen made to a number of completed projects. Acomprehensive study and user feedback survey ofone public building and one open space project havebeen conducted. Meetings are held with user groupsto review accessibility requirements and user needs.Professionals such as occupational therapist andarchitect working in the field to improve access forthe people with disabilities and to promote UniversalDesign concept have also been interviewed.

To further illustrate the best practices on universalaccessibility, a photo gallery consisting of good localand overseas examples has been established onArchSD’s intranet for easy reference and someexamples have been incorporated into this studypaper.

The study focuses on generic issues. Findings anddesign guidelines have been documented.

Based on the feedback from the users during thesurveys and the interviews, together with thereappraisal of completed ArchSD projects, indicatorsfor continual improvements have been established.Best practices and guidelines are now recommended.They would be useful tools to assist designers,administrators, operators and users in achieving theobjectives for universal accessibility in future projects.