HWA has played a major role in Singapore in advocating for a more accessible environment. By listening to the experiences and needs of its members, HWA discovered that the inaccessibility of Singapore's housing estates, shopping malls, institutions of higher learning, office buildings and other important public places, were some of the biggest barriers faced by people with disabilities in seeking integration into Singaporean society.

In 1990, HWA set out to raise awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities faced, and to advocate for the modification of buildings, government subsidised housing estates, and public transportation, to make them more user-friendly and accessible. To this end, HWA conducted an accessibility survey along a popular tourist street and found that it was virtually inaccessible for persons with disabilities. HWA then lobbied the government, as well as city builders and architects, to make the area more accessible. This process enabled government bodies and architects to gain first-hand knowledge of the difficulties faced by people with disabilities. The HWA campaign was very successful, and as a result the street was made accessible. 

The success of the campaign led HWA to conduct Singapore-wide accessibility surveys. To achieve this, HWA trained its members in conducting accurate accessibility surveys. HWA undertook surveys of streets, parks, shopping malls, public housing and other buildings, and published the results in the "Access Singapore" handbook for people with disabilities to inform them of those places that had access features. Through the accessibility surveys and the feedback received from participating members, HWA was able to determine more accurately the needs of people with disabilities in Singapore. The handbook has been so successful, that a fifth edition has already been published in collaboration with the National Council of Social Service and the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board.

If you want  a copy of the Access Singapore Booklet – A Guide to Accessible Places, please send in your request and we will mail the booklet to you OR alternatively, you may download the booklet here

The results of the surveys were also used to lobby the Government to revise the 1990 Code Book on Accessibility, which was developed without the inputs of disability groups. The Government agreed and HWA assisted in the revision of the Code Book. In 1995, the Code Book on Barrier Free Accessibility in Buildings was produced. Since then, HWA has become a major resource centre on accessibility issues, providing advice to architects and housing developers. The 3rd Edition, recently completed in 2002, sets out the fundamental design and construction requirements for buildings so that provisions are given not only to people with physical disabilities but also taking into considerations the  elderly, persons with visual impairment, children with disabilities and families with infants or young children. The 3rd Edition is now available free of charge and can be viewed and downloaded from BCA website at : http://www.bca.gov.sg

Another major outcome of HWA's advocacy was that the Government passed legislation making all new housing estates, where 90 per cent of Singaporeans live, accessible for people with disabilities. HWA has also secured an agreement from the Government that the transport system will be made accessible by 2005. With HWA's experience and knowledge of accessibility issues, the organisation has begun working with other governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations in neighbouring countries to enhance and improve mobility and accessibility for all people with disabilities.

In its access promotion efforts, HWA collaborated closely with, among others, the Department of Architecture - National University of Singapore, and the Public Works Department.