Learn
Schools
Practice
Research
Universal Access UAE · The mark
Three tiers of certification.
A single mark, awarded at the level an asset genuinely reaches — from meeting the law, to designing for everyone, to matching the best international standards. Each tier is verified, time-bound and re-audited; none is permanent, because accessibility is a state you maintain, not a plaque you keep.
The tiers
From the statutory floor to Design for All.
Tier I
Compliant
Meets the statutory floor of UAE law and the local accessibility codes.
Tier II
Universal
Compliant, and demonstrably usable by everyone — verified in use.
Tier III · Gold
Design for All
Matches Dubai's 'Accessible UNI' benchmark and international standards, with accessibility embedded as organisational process.
| Tier | Requirements | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Tier I · Compliant | Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 duties satisfied · Built form to the Dubai UDC & Abu Dhabi Accessibility Standards · Digital to the National Digital Accessibility Policy (WCAG 2.1 AA) · Document review + baseline on-site verification | Valid 3 years · annual self-declaration |
| Tier II · Universal | All Tier I requirements met · Scored against the 7 Principles across all 5 domains · Co-audit walkthrough with people of determination · Continuous journey verified end-to-end | Valid 3 years · mid-term surveillance audit |
| Tier III · Gold · Design for All | Built form to ISO 21542, EN 17210 & CEN/TR 17621 · Digital to EN 301 549 & WCAG 2.2 (AA, AAA where feasible) · Design for All process (EN 17161) demonstrated · Full independent audit + user panel + design review | Valid 3 years · annual surveillance + re-audit |
The ladder
Where an asset stands.
- 00 · Registered / In AuditApplied, scoped and self-assessed; not yet certified. Listed as 'in progress' on the registry.Provisional
- 01 · CompliantThe legal minimum, independently confirmed.Tier I
- 02 · UniversalWorks for everyone, proven with users.Tier II
- 03 · Design for All · GoldInternational standard, matching Dubai's 'Accessible UNI'.Tier III
After certification
Listed, displayed, monitored.
The public Access Registry
Every certified asset is listed publicly with its tier, domains covered, validity and audit date — so a person can know, before they travel, whether a place will work for them.
The mark of assurance
Certified assets may display the Universal Access mark and tier at their entrance and on their digital properties, linked to their registry record for verification.
Surveillance & renewal
Certification is monitored through its validity period and lapses if standards slip. A complaint of inaccessibility can trigger a review at any time.
Who should certify
Every place, service and system the public relies on.
For new construction, an audit at design stage is far cheaper than remediation after occupancy — and, under the Dubai Universal Design Code, accessible design is a condition of approval, not an optional extra.
- Government service centres, hospitals and clinics
- Schools, universities and courts
- Metro and bus terminals
- Malls and retail, banks and consumer-service outlets
- Hotels and tourism venues
- Mosques and places of worship
- Public parks and beaches, cultural and sports venues
- Any public-facing website, app or kiosk
Universal Access UAE