At Human Space, we help organizations create environments that are not just compliant, but truly accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all. To achieve this, we offer a range of specialized services, including building audits and feasibility studies as well as certification and benchmarking services – each designed to help you identify, address and plan for accessibility improvements in meaningful ways. But how do you determine which service best suits your needs and goals?
Let’s explore the key differences and how they can benefit your organization.
Human Space elevated accessibility at the Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatic Centre, integrating universal design to create an inclusive, high-performance legacy facility beyond code standards.
Building Audits & Feasibility: A Deep Dive Into Barriers to Accessibility
If you need a comprehensive assessment of potential barriers in your facility, a building audit and feasibility study is the right place to start. Our team conducts detailed, in-person evaluations of your building or outdoor spaces, identifying barriers and providing practical solutions tailored to your project.
What you can expect:
- A detailed site assessment comparing your space against a set of standards and/or better practice criteria tailored to each client or project.
- An itemized breakdown of non-compliant features, including recommended remediation strategies.
- Prioritized action plans with cost estimates to guide decision-making.
- A roadmap for resolving barriers, helping you to create a truly inclusive environment.
An accessibility audit underway.
Certification & Benchmarking: Measuring Success Against Industry Standards
For organizations seeking to validate and benchmark their accessibility efforts, certification and benchmarking services provide a high-level evaluation aligned with recognized third-party standards. These assessments provide an overview of potential barriers in the built environment.
What this includes:
- Assessment based on industry recognized frameworks like the Rick Hansen Foundation or CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) standards to measure and certify the level of accessibility.
- A combination of qualitative and quantitative reviews through in-person site assessments, and/or architectural drawing reviews
- A clear outline of potential accessibility barriers relating to the third-party certification or benchmarking evaluation criteria.
- Depending on the outcome of certification, clients may choose to do further investigations, such as building audits and feasibility, to understand non-compliances in more detail, and how existing barriers might be remediated and at what cost.
Human Space collaborated on redesigning Singapore’s Geylang Serai market, integrating cycling lanes, green spaces, and smart wayfinding to enhance accessibility and cultural connectivity.
What Service is Right for You?
The choice depends on your goals. The table below offers a side-by-side comparison of key elements in our building audits and feasibility services alongside our certification and benchmarking offerings. Each service is tailored to deliver distinct outcomes, aligning with the diverse goals of our clients. In some cases, clients choose to engage both services.
| Building Audits & Feasibility | Certification and Benchmarking | |
| Associated with recognized third-party certification program | ✓ | |
| Provides itemized quantities | ✓ | |
| Provides costing | ✓ | |
| Outlines priority levels | ✓ | |
| Captures quantitative features | ✓ | ✓ |
| Captures qualitative features | ✓ | ✓ |
| Describes feasibility and recommendations | ✓ | |
| Follows standards and better practices chosen by the project team | ✓ | |
| Follows a defined set of requirements | ✓ | ✓ |
| May include certification badge for public recognition | ✓ | |
| Aim to provide improved accessibility | ✓ | ✓ |
Let’s Work Together
100 Broadway Avenue, Toronto, features a bold orange ramp and high-contrast paths, exemplifying award-winning universal design that supports mobility and inclusivity beyond basic accessibility standards.
At Human Space, we understand that every organization has unique needs. Whatever accessibility goal you’re striving to achieve, we are here to guide you.
If you are interested in either of these services or are looking for additional guidance on which might work best for your needs and goals? Get in touch today to discuss your facilities, and let’s find the best strategy to meet your accessibility goals.