IAU-USR Accessibility Audit Methodology

Existing accessibility audit frameworks focus heavily on digital compliance (WCAG for websites and apps) or treat physical space audits as in-person-only exercises. For people who rely on electric wheelchairs, the real barriers are physical: doors too narrow to pass through, ramps too steep or poorly surfaced, sidewalks blocked by obstacles or in disrepair.

There was no standardized methodology for auditing these physical barriers remotely, which meant organizations in different cities or countries had to hire local auditors every time, or skip the audit entirely.

I created the IAU-USR (International Accessibility & Universal Social Inclusion Review) methodology to fill that gap. It's a structured framework for conducting remote accessibility audits of buildings and public spaces, with a specific focus on electric wheelchair navigation.

The methodology evaluates:

Door sizing — whether entrances, internal doors, and emergency exits meet minimum clearance for powered wheelchairs

Ramp specifications — gradient, width, surface material, handrail placement, and landing areas

Sidewalk accessibility — surface quality, width, curb cuts, obstacles, and cross-slope

Overall social inclusion — whether the space allows independent participation, not just physical entry

The "social inclusion" component is what sets IAU-USR apart from a standard compliance checklist. It asks: can a person in an electric wheelchair actually use this space independently, or just technically enter it?

All audits are conducted remotely using documentation provided by the client:

Client submits materials — floor plans, architectural drawings, photos, video walkthroughs, and measurements

Structured evaluation — each space is scored against the IAU-USR criteria across all categories

Report generation — a comprehensive written report with findings, scores, and visual annotations

Every completed audit includes:

Written accessibility report — detailed findings for each area evaluated

Accessibility checklist — pass/fail assessment against IAU-USR criteria

Scoring assessment — quantified accessibility rating per space and overall

Prioritized remediation roadmap — ranked recommendations for improvements, from quick wins to structural changes

Remote auditing makes accessibility evaluation available to organizations regardless of location. A building in Bucharest and a public park in Buenos Aires can both be assessed using the same standardized framework, without flying an auditor to each site. This lowers the cost barrier and makes accessibility auditing practical for organizations that would otherwise skip it.