What is AccessNow Verified?
With over 1 million data points across 10,000 towns and cities in 107 countries, AccessNow is a trusted resource for accessibility information globally. Because of the trust and reliability we’ve built over the years, since 2022 over 1,000 locations have been Verified through the Access Verified program.
AccessNow Verified is a program that helps businesses and destinations showcase their accessibility features to a global audience while building trust with the disability community. Unlike audits or compliance checks, it focuses on real-world accessibility insights based on lived experience. The program aims to provide transparent, detailed descriptions so people with disabilities can determine if a location meets their needs.
Examples of verified listings:
- Attraction – Illuminarium Toronto and Sea to Sky Gondola
- Museum – Museum of Anthropology
- Restaurant – Upper Thames Brewing Company
- Venue – Princes of Wales Theatre
- Hotel – The Drake Hotel
Check out how AccessNow has been helping local businesses showcase their accessibility features in this article from Destination Toronto.
An accessibility or a compliance check?
AccessNow Verified is not about measuring spaces against building codes or regulations. Instead, it takes a holistic approach, examining how people interact with a location in real-world scenarios. Rather than focusing on compliance, the program looks at the entire user journey – starting from how a person arrives at a location, whether by car, mobility device, on foot, or via public transit. It considers the path of travel to and through space, assessing usability from a practical standpoint.
The goal is not to audit a location, but to provide a detailed, transparent description of its accessibility. This allows people with disabilities to determine for themselves whether a space meets their needs, ensuring they have the right information to make informed choices.
Who conducts the Verified assessments?
Access Verified is powered by our Mapper community. Verified assessments are conducted by trained AccessNow Verified Mappers who bring both professional training and lived experience in accessibility. Mappers may have disabilities related to mobility, vision, hearing, or cognition, helping ensure each assessment reflects diverse perspectives and real-world experiences.
How does the process work?
Every AccessNow Verified listing is conducted by Verified Access Mappers – trained professionals with lived experience in accessibility. This approach ensures assessments reflect real-world usability rather than just regulatory compliance.
Access Verified looks at accessibility the way people experience it in real life – from the moment they start planning a visit to the moment they leave. It helps people understand whether a space will actually work for them, including how to get there, what amenities and features are available, how easy it is to move through the space, and whether essential needs are accessible.
During a verification visit, an Access Mapper navigates the space just as a visitor would, starting from the parking area or arrival point and moving through all key areas of the location. The assessment covers 30 accessibility features across three main categories. Below is a snapshot of just a few features that are considered during a visit:
Entrance:
- Accessible Parking
- Alternative Entrances
- Automatic Doors
- Barrier-Free Entrances
- Ramps
General:
- Accessible Seating
- Auditory Signals
- Braille
- Customer Services
- Digital Menu
- Elevator
- Handrails
- Hearing Loop
- Large Print
- Bright Lighting
- Low Lighting
- Lowered Counters
- Quiet Environment
- Scent-Free Space
- Service-Animal-Friendly
- Sign Language Availability
- Spacious Layout
- Stairlift
- Tactile Surfaces
Washroom:
- Accessible Washroom
- Private or Stall
- Automatic Features
- Barrier-Free Sink
- Change Table
- Gender-Neutral
Access Verified in action: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Our work in Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a real-world example of how AccessNow Verified comes to life. In partnership with Visit Lauderdale through the Explore Greater Fort Lauderdale project, AccessNow supported the creation of accessible itineraries that showcase verified outdoor spaces, trails, and attractions across the region.
How long does a Verified assessment take?
The duration of an AccessNow Verified assessment depends on the size and complexity of the location:
- Small locations – (e.g., restaurants, cafes) Typically 1 hour
- Medium locations – (e.g., office space, shorter experiences/attractions) Up to 1.5 hours
- Large locations (e.g., convention centres, large outdoor spaces) – Up to 3 hours
Prior to the visit, we provide an estimate to help businesses plan accordingly.
How can businesses support the Verified process?
Businesses can choose to be as involved or as hands-off as they prefer during the verification process. However, we encourage a team member to accompany us during the assessment as this allows us to provide valuable educational insights about accessibility features, discuss potential improvements, and highlight the inclusive elements already in place.
Businesses are not required to prepare anything in advance for our visitation, but it is helpful to inform team members that AccessNow will be on-site conducting an assessment, as we will be taking notes and photos.
Our team makes sure to work discreetly and does not disrupt regular business operations!
What happens after the Verified visit?
After the visit, our team compiles the assessment findings into a detailed listing on the AccessNow platform. This includes:
- A written description outlining key accessibility features.
- Photos (excluding faces or confidential information) to provide visual context.
- Verified labels based on the features observed during the assessment.
Once the listing is live, businesses will receive a notification and can review their verified details. If any updates or changes are needed, businesses can reach out to discuss revisions.
Can businesses make improvements after being verified and update their listing?
Absolutely! Businesses can make accessibility improvements at any time, and we’re happy to update their AccessNow Verified listing to reflect these changes. This includes:
- Updating the description to highlight new features.
- Adjusting labels to reflect added accessibility elements.
- Adding new photos of upgrades have been made.
- If a business has completed accessibility enhancements, they can reach out to us to ensure their listing remains accurate and up to date.
What if my business/location isn’t fully accessible?
AccessNow Verified uses three qualifiers to describe accessibility: Accessible, Partially Accessible, and Not Accessible. Our approach is glass-half-full, meaning we focus on highlighting the accessibility features that are present while providing transparent information about any barriers.
If a business is not fully accessible, such as having stairs without a ramp, we still document this accurately so visitors can make informed decisions. However, we also include any accommodations the business provides, such as curbside pickup.
Our goal is not to critique businesses, but to ensure people have the details they need to plan their visit with confidence.
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