An accessibility certificate serves to attest to the level of accessibility of a space, service, or product following a formal evaluation and certification process. In the case of the Accessibility Indicator System (AIS), this assessment is expressed through up to five levels of excellence and considers accessibility from a comprehensive perspective.
For an organization, holding this certification means having an objective benchmark regarding the accessibility conditions of what has been evaluated. It is not merely a matter of checking whether there is a ramp, an elevator, or specific signage, but rather of analyzing the overall conditions that influence the use of the environment, taking into account criteria related to physical, sensory, and cognitive accessibility.
What is an accessibility certificate?
An accessibility certificate is the result of a process in which specific conditions of an environment, asset, service, or product are evaluated, and the level of compliance with the relevant standard is certified. At AIS, the system consists of various standards that enable the evaluation of these elements both during the design phase and after they have been developed.
In the case of AIS, the certificate attests to the level of accessibility achieved in accordance with the applicable standard. The system includes up to five levels of excellence, represented by AIS Stars, so that the final result provides a benchmark for the certified level of the evaluated object.
The information must always be interpreted in relation to the applicable standard and methodology. AIS has, among others, Standard AIS 1/2023 for urban environments, AIS 2/2023 for digital products and services, AIS 3/2023 for products with accessible features, and AIS 4/2023 for events and conferences. Therefore, there is no single, undifferentiated procedure applicable to all types of objects.
How do you obtain an AIS accessibility certificate?
Obtaining an AIS certificate involves following a defined procedure. The AIS documentation itself describes a sequence that begins with a request for information and the opening of the file, and continues with the collection of evidence, analysis, identification of improvements, the audit, and the final decision.
Initial Analysis of the Environment
The process begins by identifying the object to be certified and determining which AIS category and standard apply. This is important because an existing building, a renovation project, an urban space, an event, and a digital product are not evaluated in the same way.
AIS 1 certification covers various categories, including new construction and renovation projects, the built environment, accessible urban spaces and pedestrian routes, natural areas, and events or conferences. The choice of procedure therefore depends on the characteristics of the subject to be evaluated.
Assessment and Evidence Gathering
Once the case has been opened, the process involves the collection of evidence by a Certified Technician or Consultant. This evidence is used to analyze the actual conditions of the environment and verify compliance with the requirements of the applicable standard.
The official AIS training for technicians specifically covers data collection, the identification of elements to be evaluated, the use of the AIS app, and the entry of data and evidence associated with each requirement. This demonstrates that the evaluation is based on a technical and documented procedure.
Audit and Evaluation of Results
After collecting and analyzing evidence, the procedure includes an action plan to improve accessibility and, subsequently, an audit conducted by a technical auditor from the ARS Foundation. Based on the results of these various phases, a draft report on the level of accessibility is prepared.
This separation of duties is part of the procedure itself. The Certified Technician or Advisor performs the analysis and prepares the proposal, while the audit and subsequent phases allow for a review of the process before a final decision is made regarding the certificate.
Issuance of the Accessibility Certificate
The process concludes with the approval of the certificate by the Review Committee and the awarding of the corresponding plaque, in accordance with the published procedure for the certification of developed areas. The ARS Foundation is the creator and international administrator of the AIS certificate.
The final result indicates the level of accessibility achieved on the AIS scale. In addition, the certificates issued can be viewed in the AIS Public Registry of Certified Spaces, which allows users to verify the existence of certifications that have been granted.
What criteria are evaluated for certification?
Certification is not based on evaluating a single, isolated element. The AIS System views accessibility as a comprehensive concept, and its standards incorporate criteria related to usability, comfort, and safety, while also taking applicable legislation and best practices into account. Therefore, the key aspects are:
- Physical accessibility: It is important to assess the conditions that enable people to move around, access, and use their surroundings regardless of their characteristics or needs.
- Sensory and cognitive accessibility: This aspect allows us to broaden the analysis beyond physical barriers and consider other conditions that may affect a person’s ability to understand, navigate, or use a space or service.
- Overall assessment of the environment: AIS standards take into account both mandatory regulations and additional criteria related to usability, comfort, and safety, which allows the evaluation to be structured from a broader perspective.
What are the benefits of having an accessibility certificate?
Having an accessibility certificate provides a formal benchmark of the level of accessibility achieved by the environment or service being evaluated. For an organization, the process can also help identify areas requiring action and prioritize the improvements needed to advance within the system.
Determining the level of accessibility of an environment
One of the certificate’s main benefits is that it allows the evaluation results to be expressed on a recognizable scale. AIS establishes up to five levels of excellence, providing a common benchmark for communicating the degree of certified accessibility.
This can be useful both for the organization that owns or is responsible for the space and for people who need information about its accessibility. Certification provides a benchmark based on an evaluation process, rather than leaving that assessment solely to individual perceptions.
Identify opportunities for improvement
The certification process can also be used to identify areas that require action. In fact, the AIS procedure specifically calls for an action plan aimed at improving accessibility prior to the audit.
This feature allows certification to be integrated into a phased strategy. An organization can assess its current status, take action in areas that need improvement, and then consider advancing to a higher level, always in accordance with the requirements of the applicable standard.
Communicating a Commitment to Accessibility
Certification also allows organizations to publicly disclose the level they have achieved. AIS provides an official logo and plaques designed to identify certified environments; their use is subject to authorization by the ARS Foundation.
This communication should be understood as a way of conveying a certified result and not as an automatic guarantee of specific business outcomes. The certification indicates that the facility has undergone the established procedure and has achieved the corresponding level.
Conclusion
Now you know: an accessibility certificate serves to certify the level of accessibility achieved by a space, service, or product after it has undergone the procedure established by the corresponding AIS standard. Its value lies in the fact that it transforms the analysis of accessibility conditions into a formal and verifiable result, expressed through the levels of excellence established by the system.
Obtaining it involves much more than simply placing a plaque at the entrance to a building. Behind the scenes lies a process involving evidence collection, analysis, improvement proposals, auditing, and assessment—all of which provide a more accurate picture of the environment’s conditions. For organizations, it can also serve as a tool for identifying areas for improvement and objectively communicating the level of accessibility achieved.
