This document provides an overview of accessibility audits and their purpose. An accessibility audit inspects an environment, such as a workplace, to evaluate how accessible it is for people with disabilities. The audit checks aspects like the built environment, information and communications technology, employment practices, and preferential procurement policies. It identifies barriers to accessibility and provides recommendations for improvements. Conducting regular accessibility audits is important to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities.

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Work Place Accessibility
Audit
by R. S. Nasong’o

2. Objectives
• By the end of the training, the trainee will
be able to
• Define Work Place Accessibility audit
• State the purpose of audit
• Explain the steps involved in audit
• show understanding of the cost of audit
• explain the persons involved in audit
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Introduction
Work Place Accessibility audit is inspection of an
institution business environment to check whether it
assessable to PWDs among other users of business
goods and services
It check/ inspect access to
1. Built environment
2. ICT
3. Employment
4. AGPO

4. What is Accessibility Audit
cont.
• An accessibility audit involves an accessibility
expert reviewing your site, highlighting all
accessibility issues and providing
recommendations for fixing them.
• The reviewer (auditor) would typically use
various devices including assistive software
used by disabled web users (e.g. a screen
reader) to effectively carry out the audit,
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You could hire an external accessibility
consultancy or conduct the audit in-house.
An access audit is regarded as the first step
towards improving accessibility
 It is an important tool to identify barriers, within
a building and also external areas such as play
spaces, car parking etc.
The audit provides a "base-line" assessment
against which initial recommendations can be
made. With the results of the access report,
service providers are better equipped to make
short and long-term access improvement action
plan

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The purpose of an Accessibility Audit is to establish
how well a particular environment performs in terms of
access and ease of use by a wide range of potential
users, including people with physical disabilities and the
visually impaired, and also to recommend
improvements, where necessary

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The purpose of an access audit is to carry out a
detailed appraisal of the accessibility of an
environment, its facilities and any services
delivered from it.
It is also a PC requirement
It can also act as a survey of customer
satisfaction in your org.
Access audits are not a new concept, they are
continually developing and generally carried out
by a number of different specialists some of
which include architects, access consultants and
people with disabilities.

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Access audit is not a checklist of guidelines that
need to be adhered to But much more
It is also not occupational stds inspection which
is quite narrow.
An audit of the built environment should
consider the day to day running of the building
and business in there, management issues,
maintenance and safety as well as the checklist
of building design criteria e.g. if an org is offering
online services will focus more on web
accessibility
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 An access audit should cover much more than
an audit of the built environment.
Inclusive access will only be achieved by
eliminating barriers, both physical, attitudinal
and procedural, which may otherwise inhibit the
full participation of the whole community
This means that when organisations are
reviewing (auditing) the accessibility of their
services they will need to consider their
approach to such things as:-

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•Reasonable accommodation for staff members
with disabilities.
•Good customer services to ensure staff are
welcoming.
•Ensuring all policies address accessibility.
•The day to day management of buildings
addresses accessibility to ensure the buildings
are maintained correctly.
•Promotion of the services and marketing is
inclusive and designed to accommodate
everyone
• When buying goods and services accessibility is
a key criterion

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Providing all information in accessible formats as
required and ensuring adequate pre-visitor
information is available
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Slip Resistance
Ac
 cessible surfaces must be slip resistant to
minimize hazards to people with disabilities,
especially those who are ambulatory or semi-
ambulatory or who use canes, crutches, and
other walking aids.


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Compliance with the standards requires
specifying surface materials, textures, or finishes
that prevent or minimize slipperiness under the
conditions likely to be found on the surface
 Standard practices for minimizing floor or
ground slipperiness will likely satisfy compliance
with the standards as slip resistance is important
not just for accessibility but for general safety as
well.
 Applications and finishes used to increase a
surface material’s slip resistance may require
continued maintenance

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What is the scope of an access
audit?
The elements covered in an access audit
depend on the type and nature of the
environment and services under consideration
Buildings and sites vary considerably and,
although there will be common elements
between particular types, no two will be exactly
the same

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Generally the elements covered in an Access
audit include:-
Getting to the premises - access from road or
car park, lighting, signage, surfaces and street
furniture
Getting into the premises – entrance, steps,
doors, lobby/reception area, seating, and lighting
Getting around the premises – corridors,
doors, stairs, lifts, signage, floor surfaces, tonal
contrasts and lighting

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Using the services in the premises – toilets,
washrooms, changing and bathrooms,
bedrooms, eating areas, bar, room layout,
lighting, heating, switches, handles, seating,
furniture, telephone, alarm, health and safety
issues, management and staff attitudes
Exploring alternative ways of providing access
to services – where a physical feature makes it
impossible or unreasonably difficult for a service
to be accessed. For example, offering a home
service, installing a call bell for help at an
approved height, providing a piece of equipment
or offering extra assistance from trained staff

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Getting out of the building in an emergency –
fire exits, emergency routes, lighting and
warning systems and safe refuge. There
must be a plan of evacuating PWDs in case
of an emergency.
Marketing and communication materials –
publicity materials both printed and
websites, menus, training materials and
manuals, instruction sheets, suggestion
forms etc
Policies, Procedures and Practices

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Since access auditing is done of an already
existing building, it may be noted that due to
the structural limitations it may not be possible
to retrofit / add/ or substitute accessibility
features in all parts of the building
 Therefore, retrofitting may need to be
coupled with staff training and awareness
programmes to get the desired customer
satisfaction

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What is the cost of an audit?
A complete accessibility audit involves visiting
the venue, completing an access survey, taking
photographs and discussions about other access
issues with the management
The cost of an Access audit will vary depending
on the nature of the business or undertaking
 Generally the service is charged on an hourly
fee basis plus travel costs, and normally informal
discussions take place to determine the
requirements and cost.

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Implementation Strategy
An implementation strategy is a good
supplement to an Access Audit report.
In an access audit the access consultant will
provide an exhaustive list of recommendations for
improvements
 These recommendations may be very minor
requiring not too much interventions or financial
inputs
 Sometime the recommendation may be major
requiring major financial inputs and works.

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.Hence an implementation strategy should
provide details on priorities that should be
looked in immediately and phases for the rest
of the recommendations
Some of the recommendation probably can
also be undertaken during
refurbishment/renovation
An implementation strategy will help in
calculating a budget for access improvements
and also help in phasing the work that needs to
be undertaken

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Policy Audit
A policy audit is a good way to ensure that all
policies – MDAs or Private company include
concerns of persons with disabilities

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The case study of American regulations
governing transit buses, it is a good practice
to include accessible:
 doors, steps, and thresholds
 priority seating signs
interior circulation, handrails, lighting, fare
boxes, public information systems,
stop requests, and destination and route signs

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In addition, the regulations include a mobility
aid accessibility section, mandating that transit
buses provide a‘ ‘level-change mechanism or
boarding device. ”
The regulations state:
All vehicles covered by the subpart shall
provide a level-change mechanism or
boarding device (e.g., lift or ramp)

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Accessibility Indicator
• Disability Mainstreaming is one of the indicators in
Performance Contracting in Public Service
• Accessibility to Built Environment is one of the targets in
DM, with a requirement to Guarantee physical
accessibility within premises and physical
facilities for employees and the public.
• Carry out accessibility and usability audit in all public
Institutions and implementation of reports from there of.

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Activities Include:
Physical eenvironment
1 Accessible parking space designated and reserved
by sign showing accessibility symbol.
2 Add ramps to entrances that have stairs leading to
them; each ramp should have level landings at top
and bottom
3 Ensure all pathways, sidewalks, aisles and ramps
leading to premises and physical facilities have non
slip surfaces for PW mobility impairment.

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4 At every ramp/ stairway, ensure handrails in a
contrasting colour to make them more visible to PW
visual impairment.
5 Doorways/ entrances marked in a contrasting colour
to surrounding area to make more visible for
individuals with visual impairment.
6 Wide passages of 1 metre+ provided at entrances of
buildings for easy access for wheelchairs users.
7 Doors must have easy to grab handles at a
level/height suitable for wheelchair users.

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8 Accessible elevators and ramps in premises of
operation with more than one floor must be
provided.
9 Internal/ external environments of premises of
operation; free from barriers of accessibility.
10 Glass surfaces, including counters, tables and doors
clearly marked for PW visual impairment.
11 Clear/adequate signage for accessibility concerns of
the deaf and PW low vision.

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12 Simulate emergency and safety procedures; take
into account the needs of PWDS. Make sure all
emergency exits are wide enough for wheelchair
users and have accessible handles. Also HR must
ensure all staff receive a thorough Health & Safety
induction.
13 Accessible toilet and washrooms shall be on an
accessible route and shall meet the requirements
of universal design.

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1 Access to employment
2 Develop disability workplace policy; ensure
equal job opportunities and non-discrimination
in recruitment, promotion, transfer, career
development and training.
3 Make reasonable adjustment to accommodate
PWDs with appropriate skills set.
4 Employ accessible recruitment advertising to
attract applications from as many qualified
people including PWDs. Share with NCPWD
available vacancies so that NCPWD can
circulate the same to PWD’s through their
communication networks.

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4 Avail job application forms in alternative
formats depending on an individual’s disability
needs, access to technology, include large
print, audio format, email, or Braille.
5 Standardize recruitment when hiring PWDs to
achieve inclusive recruitment.
6 Pre interview briefing/ training of interviewers
on equal recruitment i.e. gender and disability
awareness.Must be followed in every
recruitment exercise of an organization.

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7 Provide reasonable adjustments e.g. assistive
devices (like Braille, large print and Sign
language interpretation) during interviews.
8 Provide reasonable workplace adjustments i.e.
assistive devices, transport, working
arrangements and working hour’s alterations.
9 Mainstreaming disability in the existing
organization performance management
systems.

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10 Train staff on disability awareness and equality
(at least once every year) so all staff show
positive attitude and behavior towards PWDs.
11 Disability friendly physical facilities and
premises for accessible workplace environment
must be provided (consult level 2 above on
strategies on physical facilities and premises
accessibility).
12 ‘Return to work programme’ to guide and
systematize re-integration process of
employees who acquire disability in the course
of employment.

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13 . Create and institutionalize a focal person/ point
for effective disability management in the
workplace.
14 Implement the disability workplace policy.

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• Increase equal and easy access of
products and services/ programmes to
PWDs and outline the same in
organization/institution service charter.
Facilitate PWDs AGPO
• Train staff in Kenya Sign language
• Adopt use of adaptive technologies

48. Part II
• ICT Accessibility
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49. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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158 signatories; 143 ratifications as of March 2014

50. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Article 9 of the CRPD defines ICT accessibility as an
integral part of accessibility rights on par with
transportation and the physical environment
• Article 30 of the CRPD requires State Parties to “take
all appropriate measures to ensure that Persons with
Disabilities . . . enjoy access to television programmes
[and] films . . . in accessible formats.”
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51. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
UNCRPD - Article 9, Accessibility
To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and
participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take
appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities
access, on an equal basis with others . . . to information
and communications, including information and
communications technologies and systems These
measures, which shall include the identification and
elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, shall
apply to . . . Information, communications and other
services, including electronic services and emergency
services.
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52. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
What is Accessibility in an ICT Context?
• Accessibility means what the user requires to gain
functional access to ICT.
• Accessibility ICTs ensure that such functionality is
provided
• For example -
- If you cannot see a typical screen, there needs to be
a way to understand what is on it
- If you cannot hear the information, there needs to
be a way to get that information
- If you cannot input a command on a device, there
needs to be a way to do this
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53. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
Accessibility features for blind and people with low
visibility
p Challenge: Cannot see screens, navigate websites, use
touch screen keyboards, read electronic books and
emails, etc
p Solutions:
§ Screen readers for computers and mobile phones
s Converts information into speech or Braille
display
§ Gesture-based screen readers for touch screen
tablets and phones
§ Tactile markers, tactile and/or audible feedback
§ Adjustable font sizes
§ Text to speech functionality
§ Screen magnifiers
§ Audio description and audio subtitles for TV
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54. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
Accessibility features for deaf and hard-of-hearing
p Challenge: Cannot hear callers or
automated electronic messages, access
emergency services
p Solutions:
§ Volume adjustment and speakers
§ Relay services
§ Video relay services
§ SMS and MMS
§ Visual or vibrating alerts
§ Call logs
Screen of Hamilton CapTel captioning service
§ Hearing aid compatibility
§ Video/TV captioning and signing
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55. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
Accessibility features for limited mobility
p Challenge: cannot use limbs, flex fingers,
press or navigate buttons on a phone, or a
mouse on a computer
p Solutions:
§ Voice recognition to activate voice
commands for computers and cell phones
§ Auto text
§ Anti-shake apps
§ Adapted keyboards and mice
A single switch mounted on a wheelchair
§ Well designed remote controls and EPGs
§ Formal help schemes for the elderly and
those with registered disabilities to tune or
retune set top boxes or TV receivers
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56. What do We Mean by ICT Accessibility
Accessibility features are good for everyone!
p We may all use some accessible features even
if we do not have a disability
p Accessibility features can help other groups:
§ aging populations
s following fast dialogue or slang
§ immigrants and refugees
s promote social inclusion
§ the illiterate
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57. www.e-accessibilitytoolkit.org
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58. Making TV Accessible Report
•Prepared by Peter Looms, Chairman
of ITU-T Focus Group on Audiovisual
Media Accessibility
•Looks at how TV can be made more
accessible
•Timely given the transition from
analogue to digital TV
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/sis/PwDs/index.phtml
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59. Making Mobile Phones and Services
Accessible Report
•Prepared by a team of experts
•Explains in concrete terms, what we
mean by accessible mobile phones
•Developments in accessible mobile
apps
•Business opportunities and case
studies
•Policy guidelines
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/sis/PwDs/index.phtml
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60. Model ICT Accessibility Policy Report
§ Prepared by G3ict, Lead Author Mandla Msimang
§ Provides policy guidelines and legal and
regulatory framework
• Designed to help policy makers and regulators
develop their own accessibility policies and
regulations
• Modular design includes stand-alone sections on:
• Model ICT Legal, policy and regulatory
framework
• Public ICT access accessibility
• Mobile accessibility
• TV accessibility
• Web accessibility
• Public procurement of ICT
• ITU does not require implementation of the
model policy!
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61. What is web
accessibility?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx7hdQqf8lE
Barriers and frustrations people with disabilities
face with inaccessible websites.
Quick look at how to make website content more
accessible to both people with disabilities, and
users in general.

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