An accessibility audit or review is a crucial first step in identifying barriers and opportunities to make your built environment more inclusive for employees and visitors of all abilities. It involves a thorough assessment of your physical space against established accessibility standards and best practices.

Benefits of an Accessibility Audit

• Provides a comprehensive picture of your current level of accessibility.
• Helps prioritize short and long-term improvement opportunities.
• Ensures compliance with relevant legislation and building codes.
• Demonstrates your commitment to inclusion and social responsibility.
• Enhances space usability and appeal for everyone.

Identifying Common Barriers in the WorkplaceWhen conducting an accessibility audit of your workplace, one key area to assess is the built environment – the buildings, spaces and facilities in which your employees and customers spend time. Many common physical barriers can make these environments difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to navigate. Some things to look out for include:

• Lack of accessible parking spaces or drop-off areas near entrances.
• Stairs or level changes without ramps or elevators as an alternative.
• Narrow doorways, hallways or aisles without enough clearance for mobility devices.
• High reception desks or service counters without a lowered section.
• Lack of accessible washrooms with adequate clear space and grab bars.
• Obstacles like planters, furniture or equipment blocking pathways.
• Poor lighting or glare that makes it difficult to see for people with low vision.
• Lack of visual fire alarms or information displays for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

By methodically examining each area of your workplace with these types of barriers in mind, you can identify opportunities to improve physical access as part of your overall accessibility plan. Even small upgrades can make a big difference!

Using the RHFAC Rating SystemWhile various tools are available, one option you may want to consider is the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program,¹ which offers a nationally recognized rating system to measure meaningful access to buildings and other sites. It covers a wide range of criteria, from entrances and interior routes to wayfinding and emergency systems.

Having completed specialized training, an RHFAC professional can conduct the audit and provide a detailed report with numerical scores for each category, along with a list of key areas of success and opportunities for improvement. This standardized approach is designed to yield consistent and reliable results.

Preparing for the AuditTo make the most of the audit process:

• Gather up-to-date floor plans, evacuation plans and any other relevant documentation and provide them to the auditor in advance.
• Ensure that the auditor has full access to all areas of the built environment, including employee-only spaces.
• Consider bringing in key stakeholders like facility managers, HR representatives and employees with disabilities for their insights.
• Be open to feedback and be willing to invest in short-term fixes as well as longer-term capital upgrades.

Auditing the Built Environment and Beyond
When conducting an accessibility audit, it's important to look beyond the physical built environment. Although assessing the accessibility of buildings, spaces and facilities is important, a thorough audit should also examine an organization's internal processes, policies and practices that can impact accessibility for employees and customers with disabilities.

However, not all accessibility professionals have received the same training or have the same lived experience; before you hire someone, find out more about their credentials and their overall process to determine whether they are the right fit for your goals and areas of focus.

For example, accessibility professionals may be able to help you review the following:

• Hiring and onboarding processes.
• Internal and external communications practices.
• Training and professional development offerings.
• Procurement processes for acquiring accessible technology and services.
• Customer service policies and procedures.
• Emergency evacuation plans.

Examining these areas through an accessibility lens can identify barriers that people with disabilities may face when interacting with or working for a given organization.

For many employers, conducting an accessibility audit could be an excellent first step in developing an overall accessibility plan. For example, in British Columbia, over 750 prescribed organizations were to meet the requirements of the Accessible BC Act by September 1, 2023.² Those requirements included the creation of an accessibility plan³ as part of those organizations’ overall accessibility strategy. Audit results and findings can help to identify and prioritize the main accessibility barriers that need to be addressed.

The accessibility plan should then outline concrete steps that organizations will take over the next one to three years to remove identified barriers and prevent new ones from arising. Setting up an accessibility committee that includes people with lived experience of disability can provide invaluable planning insights.

Acting on the Audit ResultsWhether receiving an audit through the RHFAC program or with the support of an accessibility professional, the audit results should include one or more of the following: an overall rating score, category-specific scores and prioritized recommendations for removing barriers. Use this information to develop a phased action plan:

Start with high-impact, low-cost changes like improving colour contrast or adding tactile signage.

• Address any critical safety issues immediately, such as trip hazards or non-compliant fire alarms.
• Plan for more renovations as part of your regular maintenance and upgrade schedules.
• Involve your staff in implementing the changes and seek ongoing feedback from them.
• Consider pursuing full certification, such as through the RHFAC program, to showcase and celebrate your achievements.

Auditing your workplace for accessibility is an illuminating and empowering process. By identifying current successes and future opportunities, you can create a built environment in which everyone can participate fully. It's an investment in your people, your culture and your long-term success.