ST : Many buildings still not elderly-friendly

May 10, 2010

Many buildings still not elderly-friendly

Only $2.2m of $40m fund tapped by building owners to make premises accessible to less able-bodied, handicapped

By Carolyn Quek

SINCE its launch three years ago, only $2.2 million out of a $40 million fund has been tapped by building owners to make older premises more suitable for the elderly and wheelchair-bound to navigate.

This equates to the upgrading of 52 buildings constructed before 1990, when the code requiring owners to make sure their buildings are accessible to the disabled came into effect.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said nine more applications are pending. It does not know how many buildings were constructed before 1990, but its own target is for at least 300 buildings to be upgraded by 2014.

From checks on more than 2,000 buildings by the BCA since 2007, there are still 600 premises that do not accommodate those who are less able-bodied.

To assist these people, the BCA has created a database of buildings that are suitable for the physically disabled and elderly. Currently, about 1,400 make the grade with at least ramps and wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Buildings like Liat Towers, Tong Building and Midpoint Orchard in Orchard Road are still not accessible to the wheelchair-bound. All three, for example, still have only steps as a means to enter the buildings.

A BCA spokesman believes owners are procrastinating because upgrading their premises might mean stopping operations, albeit temporarily.

'Businesses are concerned about disrupting their operations and overcoming the physical constraints inherent in their premises that impede the construction of accessible features such as ramps or stairlifts,' he said.

'Furthermore, it is often more difficult for buildings with multiple owners to arrive at a unanimous decision to upgrade their premises.'

The fund will pay for the building owners to install basic features that will allow accessibility from the entrance to and within the first floor, and an accessible toilet on the same floor. Building owners The Straits Times spoke to who are aware of the fund said they have not applied for help due to various reasons.

Ms Lydia Tjhia, director of Bonvests Holdings, which owns Liat Towers, said it would have to seek its tenants' consent and do further studies to see how best to tap into the fund. 'While we are mindful of the need to improve access for the disabled, the management also needs to consider the tenants' rights... and the potential business disruption as a result of the renovation.'

Mr Steven Lee, chairman of Midpoint Orchard's management committee, cited 'site constraints'. For instance, he said, the steps to the entrance were too steep to build a ramp according to BCA's stipulations.

The Disabled People's Association president Leo Chen Ian wants businesses to recognise that Singapore's population is greying, which presents a whole set of problems. 'It makes business sense to make your buildings more elderly- and disabled- friendly now,' he said.

The Hong San See Temple in Mohamed Sultan Road installed a platform stairlift in January after receiving $200,000 from the fund. It saves the older devotees from having to walk up the 58 steps to reach the temple. Said temple chairman Tan Aik Hock, 41: 'A lot of old people complained that climbing up the steps was very tough for them.'

Now, Mr Tan said, people complain that the lift takes too long to get to the top. It takes about three minutes.

'But it's better than nothing,' he added.

To find out which buildings in Singapore have accessible features, visit: www.friendlybuildings.sg

carolynq@sph.com.sg