SINGAPORE: Creatives in Singapore and around the world are innovating to foster more inclusive communities.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), over 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability. This corresponds to 17 percent of the world’s population and represents the largest minority group in the world.
The WEF aims to close the disability inclusion gap by requiring 500 of the world’s largest companies to support people with disabilities.
Creating inclusive communities
At the forefront of the movement are prominent CEOs such as Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai of Google and Kenichiro Yoshida of the Sony Group.
The Forum adopts the United Nations social model of disability, which shifts the focus from individual impairments to societal barriers that prevent full participation in society.
In Singapore, Stuck Design, a local multidisciplinary firm, collaborated with SG Enable in 2022 to create the Design Playbook for Inclusive Spaces.
SG Enable, Singapore’s central agency for disability and inclusion, aims to enable people with disabilities to live, learn, work and play in an inclusive society.
Developed through extensive conversations and co-creation sessions with people with disabilities, caregivers and businesses, the playbook provides insights into inclusive design.
Tze Lee, co-founder of Stuck Design, emphasized that inclusive design goes beyond physical accessibility and considers the experience of the place for all.
He stressed the importance of encouraging companies to conduct a spatial assessment of their existing premises, based on the Playbook principles and in collaboration with people with disabilities, in order toagainstmore opportunities for inclusive design.
Four examples of inclusive design were highlighted and published in Straits Times:
The renovated apartment of Paralympian Theresa Gohdesigned by Charmaine Wong of Chalk Architects, features barrier-free environments and voice-controlled electrical appliances.
The focus of the design is on the small details that make a difference for wheelchair users, such as special kitchen shelves and storage racks.
Wheel Venture Accessible Tour of SentosaOperated by Tribe Tours, is led by guides with disabilities and offers a five-hour tour specifically designed for wheelchair users, including visits to key attractions such as Sentosa Nature Discovery, SkyHelix Sentosa and UltraGolf at The Palawan @ Sentosa.
Ascott Limiteda global hotel group, is making its accommodation more accessible and disabled-friendly as part of its Ascott Cares sustainability framework.
The group is working with SG Enable to improve the experience for guests with disabilities, for example testing noise-reducing soft cushions for guests with autism or hearing impairments.
Hawortha global furniture brand, has introduced HushAccess work cubicles designed for wheelchair users and other people with disabilities.
The freestanding acoustic capsules offer a flexible alternative to built-in conference rooms with their noise reduction functions and motion sensors for lighting and ventilation.
These initiatives demonstrate a growing commitment to inclusive design and ensuring that communities are accessible and welcoming for all.
