Various laws around the world require that public buildings be accessible to individuals with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the general public. An accessibility inspection aims to help businesses identify and reduce accessibility barriers to ensure equal access is provided.

The main areas of an accessibility inspection include:

  • Parking
  • Route of Travel
  • Ramps
  • Entrances
  • Interiors
  • Drinking Fountains
  • Restrooms
  • Elevators
  • Other Property-Specific Areas

The International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) provides guidelines for a baseline commercial property inspection, including the requirement to identify accessibility barriers at the exterior of the property. A separate section, found in the Appendix or ancillary documents, outlines the Standards for Accessibility Inspection Reports for Existing Commercial Buildings. An in-depth accessibility assessment is typically offered as an add-on or stand-alone service beyond the baseline inspection.

Review the training and resources below to support your inspection of commercial buildings and follow along in the video series of an accessibility assessment being performed.

Training, Templates, and Business Resources

Accessibility Inspection Online Course

Take CCPIA’s Accessibility Inspection For Existing Commercial Buildings Course to learn how to perform accessibility inspections. This online course covers key terms and concepts related to identifying and reducing accessibility barriers at commercial properties. It is on-demand, self-paced, and included with CCPIA® membership. The course is ICC-approved for continuing education.

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Accessibility Inspection Templates and Business Resources

CCPIA® provides various resources to support accessibility inspection services, including tools for the pre-inspection process and reporting. For clarification on ADA inspections and their scope, you can refer to the educational article below.

How to Perform Accessibility Inspections Video Series

Follow along as CCPIA® Instructor Lance Coffman performs an accessibility assessment of a commercial building using the ComSOP. He guides you through each inspection point in the standard. Take the online course to gain a deeper understanding of accessibility assessment procedures, terms, and concepts. Review the ComSOP for additional information as you follow along.