Built Environment
Building entrances, corridors, ramps, lifts, toilets, parking, and signage — every physical element with specific dimensional and sensory specifications.
We audit and assess buildings against India's official accessibility framework — the Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility 2021 (HG 2021).
The Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility 2021 (HG 2021) is the statutory accessibility framework notified by India's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It applies across all States and Union Territories. Unlike older barrier-free guidelines that focused on minimum compliance for specific groups, HG 2021 adopts a universal design approach. It aims to create environments that work for everyone — persons with disabilities, elderly persons, women, children, and people with temporary conditions alike. The guidelines address the full lifecycle of the built environment: from planning and design through construction, occupancy, and ongoing maintenance, ensuring accessibility is integrated at every stage.
HG 2021 provides a comprehensive framework spanning four critical domains of accessibility.
Building entrances, corridors, ramps, lifts, toilets, parking, and signage — every physical element with specific dimensional and sensory specifications.
Accessibility requirements for public transport infrastructure including bus stops, railway stations, airports, and pedestrian pathways connecting transit points.
Wayfinding systems, signage, public address systems, visual alarms, and digital interfaces that ensure information is accessible regardless of sensory ability.
Assistive technologies, automated systems, smart building features, and digital tools that enhance independent access and usability for all users.
HG 2021 represents a fundamental shift in how accessibility is approached. The earlier guidelines aimed to remove barriers for specific groups. The new framework embraces universal design — spaces, services, and information that are inherently usable by everyone without needing adaptation. This approach benefits not only persons with disabilities but also elderly citizens, parents with strollers, travellers with luggage, people with temporary injuries, and anyone who has ever encountered a space that wasn't designed with their needs in mind. For building owners and government departments, HG 2021 compliance is not just a legal requirement — it is a commitment to creating environments that truly serve the community.
Yavarum conducts thorough accessibility audits against HG 2021 and helps you implement practical, cost-effective improvements.