May 2019
UAP Makati CBD Chapter GMM:
An Introduction to Accessibility Audit
Story by: Arch. / EnP. M.J. Falome, UAP PIEP
The United Architects of the Philippines Makati CBD Chapter
successfully held its General Membership Meeting (GMM) for the
month of May 2019 at the CW Home Depot, Chino Roces Avenue,
Makati city
With the theme “An Introduction to Accessibility Audit,” forty
(40) UAP Makati CBD members attended the seminar, which
aims to promote an architecture inclusive to all types of users by
increasing accessibility for “differently-abled” persons. UAP Makati
CBD President Arch. Michael Frederick Z. Lazo, the event speaker,
highlighted the importance of accessibility audits, especially on
buildings within Makati CBD. This is to evaluate how well the financial
center’s built environment responds to the needs of “persons with
disabilities” or PWDs.
He also emphasized that society must
embrace PWDs, give them equal rights and opportunities, and
allow them to enhance their full capabilities by becoming part of its
economic and cultural directives.
The principles of accessibility audit is to appraise and validate
defined areas of existing buildings in Makati CBD. It is also to assess
the extent of accessibility to services and facilities for all types of
users. This step shall be the starting point of a continuous Access
Plan, which will be constantly updated and monitored by building
officials and volunteers, such as UAP chapters like the UAP Makati
CBD Chapter.
Arch. Michael Lazo also discussed major touch points such as
space and proximity, sensory reach, mobility and proximity, light
and color and acoustics.
As an outstanding advocate of accessibility for Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs), the UAP Makati CBD have been involved in a
series of talks, meetings, and lectures, hoping to strengthen the
architect’s position in providing safer public spaces. Last year
August 18, 2018, the UAP Makati CBD Chapter, upon the request of
Jones Lang Lasalle at OneEcom Bldg at the Mall of Asia, Pasay City,
delivered a lecture on a number of topics, namely: Assisting Persons
with Disabilities (PWDs), Standards and Dimensions on BP 344, and
the Apolinario Mabini Awards.
Chapter President Arch. Michael Frederick Lazo discussing the
principles and importance of Accessibility Audit