When an organization decides to assess and improve the accessibility of one of its spaces, it is not enough to simply check whether there are ramps, elevators, or signage. The AIS methodology calls for a comprehensive assessment that involves gathering information, analyzing it according to a standard, and translating the results into concrete proposals for improvement. In this process, the technician certified under the AIS certification program plays a particularly important role.
A Certified Technician is a professional who has been trained and authorized to implement AIS Standards. According to official information from the system, these professionals belong to an Authorized Entity, hold a valid license, and have the necessary training to provide consulting services related to certification.
What is an AIS certification, and what is the role of a certified technician?
AIS certification uses its own methodology to assess the level of accessibility of various environments, assets, and services. The technician’s role is not simply to check individual elements, but to apply the criteria established by the standard to the subject being evaluated and to document the results.
What is the Accessibility Indicator System?
The Accessibility Indicator System, known as AIS, is an international certification standard that rates accessibility levels using a star system. Its approach takes a comprehensive view of aspects related to physical, cognitive, and sensory accessibility.
Currently, the system distinguishes between different standards depending on the scope of the certification. In the case of Standard AIS 1/2023, its application is intended for urbanized environments, whether already built or still in the planning stages. The system’s own information states that the technician must base their work on the requirements specified in the applicable standard.
What does it mean for a technician to be certified?
Certification is not merely a professional title. The AIS system indicates that Certified Technicians are professionals who have received specific training, have been authorized to implement AIS Standards, and hold a valid license. Furthermore, they are members of an Authorized Entity.
This distinction is important because AIS separates the duties of the Certified Technician from those of the Field Technician. The Field Technician is specifically authorized to collect and upload data, while the Certified Technician is also licensed to prepare reports and proposals for grade assessments.
What does a certified technician do during an AIS certification?
The work of the Certified Technician is carried out as part of the consulting services required to implement the certification. Official information from AIS indicates that this professional collects physical and documentary data, analyzes it in accordance with AIS Standard 1/2023, formulates recommendations for improvement, and prepares a report on the level of accessibility.
Analysis and Evaluation of Accessibility Conditions
A key part of the work involves collecting and analyzing information about the object to be certified. In the case of environments regulated by Standard AIS 1/2023, the process involves collecting physical and documentary data and subsequently analyzing it in accordance with the established requirements.
The official training for Certified Technicians specifically covers topics related to functional areas, the identification of elements, data collection, the use of digital tools, and a comprehensive accessibility analysis. This demonstrates that the evaluation requires a specific methodology and is not merely a general inspection.
Identifying barriers and potential areas for improvement
The purpose of analyzing the data is not merely to arrive at a final assessment. The AIS methodology also involves developing proposals aimed at improving the accessibility of the assessed environment.
This part of the project is particularly useful for organizations that have not yet achieved their desired level of accessibility. The assessment helps identify opportunities for improvement and provides a common framework for guiding future actions, rather than addressing changes in isolation.
Information Collection and Verification
The quality of the assessment depends largely on the information that is collected. The AIS system explicitly distinguishes between the collection of physical and documentary data and establishes specific tools and procedures for managing this evidence.
Technicians’ training includes the use of the APP-AIS app and the protocols and procedures associated with the standard. This allows for the structured organization of the information gathered during the consultation and enables work to be conducted using a standardized methodology.
How is the evaluation conducted by the certified technician carried out?
The evaluation conducted by a certified technician to obtain AIS certification is a process involving several important steps, including the following:
Preparing for the Assessment
Before assessing an environment, it is necessary to clearly define what is to be analyzed and to have the information needed to apply the relevant standard. The AIS process involves opening a case file and the subsequent collection of evidence by a Certified Technician or Consultant.
This preparation ensures that subsequent work has a clearly defined scope for evaluation. It also makes it easier to correlate the data obtained with the applicable requirements and ensures that the analysis maintains adequate traceability throughout the subsequent phases of the process.
Assessment of the Environment and Application of the AIS Criteria
During the assessment, the Certified Technician applies the system’s methodology and criteria to the environment being certified. To do so, the technician combines the information gathered on-site with any relevant documentation to conduct the analysis.
The official AIS training program includes specific modules on functional areas, identification of elements, data collection, comprehensive analysis, certification processes, and standard protocols. The breadth of this content reflects the fact that implementing AIS requires specific training.
Recording of Results and Documentation of the Evaluation
The data collected during the consulting process must be transferred to the tools designated for its processing. AIS explicitly includes the use of a digital tool and the APP-AIS in the training of its technicians.
The documentation makes it possible to convert the evidence gathered during the evaluation into information that can be analyzed in accordance with the methodology. Based on this work, the Certified Technician can prepare the report and the proposed finding, which are part of their duties.
What aspects should a technician evaluate during an AIS certification?
The AIS assessment is based on a comprehensive concept of accessibility. This means that the analysis is not limited to a single aspect of the environment, but rather takes into account various conditions that may influence people’s independence and experience. Therefore, the specialist must consider:
- Accessibility and Independence: An accessible environment should enable people to use it under the intended conditions and with the greatest possible degree of independence.
- Identifying barriers for different user profiles: The analysis must take into account that usability issues can manifest in different ways, and evaluating them according to a specific methodology helps to organize these issues.
- Overall assessment of the environment: An environment may have specific accessibility solutions in place and yet still present challenges when considering the entire route or the full use of the service.
What happens after the certified technician has completed the service?
The involvement of a Certified Professional does not, in and of itself, result in the final issuance of the certificate. The AIS process includes various roles and phases to distinguish between consulting, auditing, and the final decision regarding the level of accessibility.
Once the information has been collected, the Certified Technician analyzes the results in accordance with the requirements of the standard. This process allows the collected data to be converted into a systematic assessment of the accessibility of the environment.
This analysis should not be confused with the independent audit subsequently conducted by an audit technician. The description of the AIS process itself distinguishes between these two steps within the certification procedure.
Consulting also has a practical aspect: helping organizations make progress on accessibility. For this reason, one of the responsibilities assigned to Certified Technicians is to develop proposals for improvement.
These proposals ensure that the process is not limited to identifying gaps, but rather serves as a starting point for addressing them. The goal is for the organization to move toward a higher level of accessibility in accordance with AIS criteria.
Would you like to become a certified AIS technician?
The scope of work for a certified AIS technician is constantly expanding, as more and more businesses and organizations are committed to making the necessary changes to improve physical accessibility. In this regard, it is a field with diverse opportunities and a bright future.
At the ARS Foundation, we provide the training you need to become an AIS technician. We are the creators and managers of AIS, which is why we are equipped to provide you not only with the knowledge necessary for this role but also with the methodological support you need to perform your job effectively. For this reason, our training program combines theory and practice so that you can carry out your duties successfully.
Conclusion
Understanding what a certified technician does during an AIS certification process provides a better understanding of why the process is not simply a matter of checking whether a space has certain accessibility features. Their work involves collecting physical and documentary data, analyzing it in accordance with the standard, using the system’s tools, preparing reports, and formulating recommendations for improvement and issuing an official opinion.
For an organization that wants to make progress in accessibility, having professionals specifically trained in the AIS methodology provides a clear framework for analyzing its current situation and proposing improvements.
