By the time you come to carry out the access audit, you should have agreed with the client the areas that the access audit will cover. This may include external areas and approaches to entrances as well as the interior of any buildings.

An access audit may cover some or all of the following areas:

• external approaches and environment (including car parking)

• entrance to the building

• use of the building

• reception areas

• internal circulation routes

• emergency exits, fire alarms

• vertical circulation

• sanitary facilities

• auxiliary aids

• information provision and signs

• lighting

• management and staff

• policies and procedures

It may be that certain members of your access group have particular specialities. If this is the case, it is worth considering whether to split the work up so that people cover areas in which they are strongest.

For further guidance on what should be covered in an access audit, refer to:

• Access Audit Handbook – Centre for Accessible Environments
• The Access Manual – Blackwell