UDAS 2024/25

Eligibility

Sole proprietors, partnerships, companies and organisations from the public or private sector are welcome to apply for UDAS. Applicants should own, manage or occupy premises situated in Hong Kong in the following capacities:

Property Owner
Developer
Property Management Company
Occupant/Tenant

i. Commercial enterprises:

Sole proprietors, partnerships or companies must possess a valid certificate of incorporation, a certificate of registration of a limited partnership (in the case of a limited partnership fund) and/or business registration certificate, and other incorporation documents as applicable.

ii. Non-profit-making organisations:

Chambers of commerce
Professional bodies
Non-governmental organisations (NGO), clubs and associations, either registered as a society under the Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151) or incorporated under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622)
Charitable institutions exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112)

*The above Applicants must possess a valid certificate of registration and/or other supporting documents as applicable.

iii. Government departments and statutory bodies

Application Categories

The UDAS has five Application Categories as follows:

Shopping Malls and Retail Spaces
Office Buildings and Office Spaces
Restaurants
Buildings and Sites with Recreational, Sports or Cultural Purposes
Revitalised Sites

Below are examples of premises and potential applicants for each Application Categories.

	Application Categories	Examples of Premises	Examples of potential Applicants
1	Shopping Malls and Retail Spaces	Shopping Malls of all size Shops inside a shopping mall or street-level shops (街鋪)	Developer Property Management Company Property Owner (e.g. shops owning the retail space) Occupant/Tenant (e.g., shops leasing the retail space)
2	Office Buildings and Office Spaces	Office Buildings of all size Office area owned or rented by small and medium enterprises (SME) or larger companies	Developer Property Management Company Property Owner Occupant/Tenant (e.g., businesses, NGOs, government/statutory bodies leasing the office space)
3	Restaurants	Branches of restaurant chain Chinese restaurants Cha chaan teng (茶餐廳) Noodle Shops (粉麵店)	Property Owner (e.g. restaurant operators owning the premises) Occupant/Tenant (e.g., restaurant operators leasing the premises)
4	Buildings and Sites with Recreational, Sports or Cultural Purposes	Private: cinemas, private clubs, theme parks Public: Sports centres, libraries, museums, theatres Non-profit-making organisations’ centres for members’ activities	Property Owner (e.g., Government owning the public parks; recreational clubs owning the club premises) Occupant/Tenant (e.g., a NGO leasing the cultural and recreational premises)
5	Revitalised Sites	All kinds of revitalised sites	Developer Property Owner (e.g., social enterprises owning the revitalised site) Occupant/Tenant (e.g., NGO managing the premises )

Points to note:

The above examples of premises and potential applicants are non-exhaustive.
Each application is based on the name of business and address of relevant premises.
Each application shall pertain to one Application Category only.
Companies or organisations which own, manage or occupy multiple premises may submit multiple applications.
Joint application for the same premises (e.g. application jointly made by the property owner and property management company) is allowed, but a primary applicant must be identified and be responsible for matters related to the application.
For a larger site with multiple occupants/tenants, each occupant/tenant may submit their own application under the applicable Application Category.

Example: Restaurant A and Clothing Store B are both tenants in Shopping Mall C. All three entities are welcome to submit separate applications. As a restaurant operator, Restaurant A may make one application for UDAS under the “Restaurant” category. Both Clothing Store B and Shopping Mall C may apply individually under the “Shopping Malls and Retail Spaces” category.

Assessment Process

Timeline	Assessment Process
February - April 2024	Self-assessment: Complete the checklist (please click here)
May - July 2024	Site audits: Random site audits by the EOC
August 2024	Selection by Judging Panel: Applications will be shortlisted based on the self-assessment and site audit results
1 November 2024	Award Presentation Ceremony: Award winners will be invited to share their good practices at the Award Presentation Ceremony

Assessment Criteria

1. Self-assessment

A comprehensive checklist of around 100 items will be provided. Applicants are required to check off the list based on availability of accessible facilities or services within the premises.
Applicants can also describe their innovative or special design(s) and service(s) to enhance the experience of different users to showcase their good practices.
Applicants are required to fill in the net floor area of the premises for the Judging Panel to consider.
Applicants are highly encouraged to submit photos or videos visualising the universal design provisions in the premises for the Judging Panel to consider.
The full list can be accessed here.

2. Site Audits

Random site audits will be conducted by the EOC to verify and stock-take the Universal Design (UD) provisions in different premises. Unless visits to the premises require prior registration, random site audits will be conducted without prior notice.

Photos and videos submitted during the self-assessment process or taken during site audit may be showcased in the Award Presentation Ceremony if appropriate. Information collected during the self-assessment and site audits will be used for the purpose related to the UDAS only.

Awards and Judging Criteria

Each of the awarded entity will be presented with a UDAS decal and a Certificate of Recognition.

Bronze Award: Premises with 15 to 24 UD provisions on the checklist.
Silver Award: Premises with at least 25 UD provisions on the checklist.
Gold Award: Premises with at least 45 UD provisions on the checklist and obtaining 50 marks or above in the below judging criteria. If the marks are below 50, the Judging Panel reserves the right to grant the application with a Silver Award.
Special Recognition Award: Premises with excellent UD provisions and fulfilling the below judging criteria, regardless of the net floor area of the premises.

Judging Criteria:

To be eligible for the Gold Award or the Special Recognition Award, the application must include the following two items:

Description of facilities or services provided in the premises covering the dimensions specified in the marking scheme.
Supporting materials such as photos, videos, description of the design, etc. of the premises are required for the Judging Panel to consider.

Marking Scheme:

Judging Criteria	Attributes	Weighting (%)
Spectrum of users	The premises provide different kinds of facilities, services and perceptible information that can cater the needs of a wide range of users.	30
Equitable use	The design of the premises provides the same means of use for the widest spectrum of users and avoids segregating or stigmatising any users by minimalising labelling of disability, elderly, etc.	20
Safety and low physical effort	The facilities in the premises can be used safely, and with low physical effort.	20
Overall accessibility	The overall design of the premises allows for easy access to facilities, services and information throughout different areas and floors.	20
Innovation	The design or services of the premises are considered innovative, or in sync with accessible technology, whether in the design, architectural or information technology field, service industry or society.	10

Notes for Applicants

Applicants shall provide assistance to the EOC throughout the application period and shall participate in the site audits unless the EOC considers that a legitimate reason has been provided for the refusal.
The EOC will publish the list of winning premises containing the name of the companies or organisations through website, publications, social media platforms and other channels.
The winning premises are authorised to use the UDAS Logo at their sites or promotional materials during the validity period of 2024-25. The EOC reserves the sole right to terminate or modify the right of awardees to use the UDAS Logo. In the event of dispute, the decision of the EOC shall be final and binding.
The UDAS and the results thereof shall not in any way affect or prejudice the EOC’s exercise of its statutory functions and powers under the four anti-discrimination ordinances, including but not limited to the investigation of complaints.
Personal data provided by the applicants will be used by the EOC for the purpose of communication and promotion related to the UDAS. If the applicants wish to access or correct any personal data or there is any change in person-in-charge, please contact the EOC at 2511 8211 or email to UDAS@eoc.org.hk .

List of Judging Panel for UDAS 2024/25

EOC Representatives

Ms. Linda LAM Mei-sau, SBS

Chairperson of the EOC

Ms. Rosanna CHOI Yi-tak, MH

Member of the EOC Board

Mr. Simon LAM Ken-chung

Member of the EOC Board

Professionals

Dr. James WONG Kong-tin, BBS, JP

Chairperson, Property Management Services Authority

Ar. Dr. Joseph KWAN Kwok-lok, MH

Founder and Managing Director, UDA Consultants Ltd.

Dr. Carmen NG Ka-man

Social and Elderly Wellness Director, Hong Kong Housing Society

Prof. NG Mee Kam

Vice-Chairperson, Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

NGO Representatives

Mr. David LAU Ka-lun

Executive Director, Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth

Mr. Billy WONG Chun-hang

President, Hong Kong Blind Union

Ms. Glory NG Sin-kit

Deputy Director, Hong Kong Society for the Deaf

(in alphabetical order of surname)

Universal Accessibility Pledge

To encourage premises which encounter hardships in retrofitting existing facilities to meet accessibility standards, the Universal Accessibility Pledge (UA Pledge) is introduced for these premises to show their commitment in actualising an enabling environment. In addition, premises that are not eligible for applying for the Award are also welcome to join the UA Pledge and share their innovative design(s) (if any) with wider community.

Interested parties may complete the form below to join the UA Pledge, describing how the current design of the facilities or services in your premises can support people with diverse needs. Completed form should be sent to the EOC by email (UDAS@eoc.org.hk). The EOC will assess and evaluate if the facilities or services provided by the company/ organisation align with Universal Design principles and are suitable for the UA Pledge. Companies/ organisations will be presented with an e-certificate as a recognition for their commitment after the pledge is validated by the EOC.