Standard AIS 1/2023 establishes criteria for evaluating and certifying the level of accessibility of physical spaces and urban environments, whether already built or still in the planning phase. Its approach considers people’s needs from various perspectives, with the goal of identifying barriers and assessing the conditions of use in each environment.
Unlike an assessment focused on a single element, this methodology allows for the analysis of different areas within a space and takes into account physical, sensory, and cognitive aspects. Understanding how it works is useful for organizations that wish to evaluate their facilities, plan improvements, or begin the AIS certification process.
What is AIS 1/2023, and what is its scope of application?
The AIS 1/2023 standard is part of the Accessibility Indicator System (AIS), created and managed internationally by the ARS Foundation. Its criteria combine regulatory references with aspects related to usability, comfort, safety, and the needs of different user groups.
Certification is voluntary, but it must incorporate the legal accessibility requirements applicable to the environment being evaluated. Therefore, obtaining an AIS certificate should not be confused with being exempt from complying with applicable legislation: both aspects must be considered as part of accessibility management.
What types of spaces and projects can be evaluated?
The standard covers various categories, including existing buildings and facilities, new construction or renovation projects, urban spaces, pedestrian routes, natural areas, and events or conferences. The specific category determines which aspects must be reviewed and which protocol should be applied.
It is also possible to work on projects before they are implemented, using the prequalification protocol. This allows for accessibility to be considered from the design phase, rather than limiting the review to a completed space. The choice should be made based on the project’s characteristics and the options provided by AIS.
What criteria does AIS 1/2023 include?
The assessment is not limited to checking whether a space has certain accessible features. The methodology analyzes various environmental conditions and how they relate to one another, in order to provide a broader view of the barriers that may affect the use of the space. Therefore, the following are taken into account:
Physical Accessibility and Removal of Barriers
Physical accessibility refers to the conditions that enable people to move around, access facilities, and use their services. Depending on the type of facility, the analysis may include routes, entrances, horizontal and vertical circulation, common areas, and elements necessary for navigating the environment.
In urban areas, for example, AIS involves analyzing pedestrian routes and connections between different points. It also takes into account wayfinding and signage elements that help people locate services and navigate the space. The specific requirements depend on the characteristics of the environment being assessed.
Sensory and Cognitive Accessibility
The standard also addresses aspects related to the perception of information and understanding of the environment. Visual, auditory, and tactile signage can play an important role in facilitating orientation, while other resources help make spaces and services more accessible to people with different needs.
This approach acknowledges that removing barriers is not merely a matter of facilitating physical movement. It is also necessary to consider how a person navigates a route, receives information, or locates a service, always taking into account the specific criteria applicable to each mode of transportation.
Usability, comfort, and safety
AIS incorporates criteria related to usability, comfort, and safety, while also taking into account regulatory compliance and social needs. These aspects help assess the conditions of a space from a perspective that goes beyond the isolated presence of adapted elements.
The assessment also takes into account the potential for improving the environment. Thus, the evaluation can serve as a starting point for identifying actions that will help improve accessibility, in accordance with the conditions identified and the applicable requirements.
How is the standard applied during an accessibility evaluation?
The application of the standard follows a defined procedure that allows for the collection of information, the analysis of results, and the determination of the corresponding level of accessibility. The ARS Foundation outlines various phases in which professionals with different roles participate before the certification is approved.
Information Gathering and Data Collection
The process begins with a request for information and the opening of the case file. Next, a Certified Technician or Consultant gathers the necessary evidence to analyze the space in accordance with the standard’s requirements and criteria. This phase allows for the documentation of existing conditions and provides a basis for the evaluation.
The official AIS training covers the identification of functional areas, the collection of physical and documentary data, and the use of digital tools to record information. The work must be tailored to the characteristics of the environment, without indiscriminately applying the same criteria to all projects.
Analysis of Results and Identification of Areas for Improvement
Once the evidence has been gathered, the Certified Technician or Consultant analyzes the results and may propose measures to improve accessibility. The procedure includes an action plan that allows for the identification of opportunities for improvement before proceeding with the audit.
This phase helps turn the assessment into a practical tool for the organization. Rather than simply providing insight into a situation, it allows the organization to identify which aspects need to be reviewed and to guide subsequent decisions based on the needs identified.
Audit and Assessment of Accessibility Levels
Following the analysis, an audit technician from the ARS Foundation becomes involved. The process continues with a draft audit opinion and the approval of the certificate by the Audit Committee. The separation of these functions is part of the procedure published by AIS.
The result is expressed on a scale of one to five AIS stars. The rating assigned depends on the evaluation conducted in accordance with the applicable standard and category; it cannot be determined solely by the presence of a ramp, an elevator, or another isolated solution.
What are the benefits of applying the AIS 1/2023 standard to a space?
Applying this methodology provides a better understanding of an environment’s accessibility conditions and serves as a basis for decision-making. Its value is not limited to obtaining the certificate; it also lies in the information generated during the assessment and in the opportunities for improvement that can be identified. Therefore, it allows for:
- Understanding accessibility conditions: A structured assessment helps identify the conditions of a space and how it aligns with the criteria established by AIS.
- Plan improvement actions: Once an organization is aware of the barriers identified, it can develop a phased plan of action and subsequently evaluate whether the improvements made contribute to progress toward a higher level.
- Report the certified level of accessibility: AIS provides a certificate that identifies the setting, the type of accessibility, and the number of stars awarded, as well as other relevant details about the process.
Conclusion
Standard AIS 1/2023 establishes a methodology for evaluating the accessibility of physical spaces and urban environments from a comprehensive perspective. Its criteria take into account physical, sensory, and cognitive dimensions, along with aspects related to usability, comfort, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Its implementation involves gathering evidence, analyzing results, proposing improvements, conducting audits, and approving the certificate. For organizations, this process provides a benchmark for the level of accessibility achieved and helps identify actions that contribute to improving environmental conditions. Understanding the standard is, therefore, a first step toward evaluating a space in a structured manner and moving toward better-planned accessibility.
