CERTIFICATION

Accessibility is the starting point. Inclusion is the experience.

A space can meet technical accessibility requirements and still be difficult to navigate, understand, use, or fully experience.

Access Beyond looks at what accessibility means in practice.

We consider whether people with disabilities can:

• Find useful accessibility information before arriving

• Get there and enter

• Navigate spaces with greater independence

• Understand information and communicate effectively

• Access products, programs, and services

• Use seating, restrooms, and other amenities

• Request accommodations without unnecessary barriers

• Make meaningful choices

• Participate alongside others

• Receive respectful, knowledgeable service

• Respond safely during an emergency

• Enjoy the overall experience

Accessibility opens the door. Inclusion considers what happens after someone comes through it.

A clear path forward.

Rather than expecting every organization to achieve everything at once, the Access Beyond Rating System provides progressive levels that recognize where an organization is today while identifying practical opportunities for improvement.

The progression is simple.

★ ACCESSIBLE
Can I get there and access what you offer?

Accessible establishes the foundation. Essential accessibility is in place so people with disabilities can reach, enter, and access the organization's core offerings.

★★ ENHANCED

Can I navigate, understand, and use it with greater independence?

Enhanced builds on essential access by reducing barriers throughout the experience. Navigation, communication, usability, and other elements are designed to support greater independence.

★★★ INCLUSIVE

Can I meaningfully participate with dignity, choice, and inclusion?

Inclusive moves beyond access and usability to consider whether people with disabilities can meaningfully participate. Choice, dignity, communication, service, and belonging become increasingly important.

★★★★ EXCEPTIONAL

Is the organization going above and beyond and helping advance accessibility?

Exceptional recognizes organizations that extend accessibility beyond their own basic operations. They demonstrate leadership, anticipate needs, create notably inclusive experiences, and help advance accessibility through innovation, practices, or influence.

Certification isn't all or nothing.

Access Beyond was intentionally designed to recognize progress.

An organization shouldn't have to become an accessibility leader before the improvements it has already made can be recognized.

A business at Accessible has established essential access.

An organization at Enhanced is creating greater independence.

An organization at Inclusive is enabling more meaningful participation.

And an Exceptional organization is demonstrating above-and-beyond accessibility leadership.

The rating isn't intended to label an organization as "good" or "bad." It communicates what has been demonstrated and provides a pathway for what can come next.

Accessibility across the complete experience.

Access Beyond looks at accessibility as a connected experience rather than a collection of isolated features.

Arrival & Getting There
Parking, drop-off, transportation connections, exterior routes, and approach.

Entrances & Doors
Step-free access, doors, thresholds, maneuvering space, and accessible entry.

Navigation & Wayfinding
Routes, circulation, elevators, ramps, signage, lighting, and orientation.

Service & Communication
Interactions, communication options, information access, and respectful assistance.

Seating & Amenities
Seating choices, tables, counters, rest areas, and other amenities.

Restrooms
Accessible routes, fixtures, maneuvering space, usability, and availability.

Sensory & Cognitive Experience
Noise, lighting, predictability, communication, sensory considerations, and quieter options.

Programs & Participation
Access to activities, programs, products, services, and meaningful participation.

Policies & Accommodations
Reasonable modifications, service animals, mobility devices, accommodation requests, and organizational practices.

Staff Knowledge & Training
Preparedness, disability awareness, communication, and customer service.

Safety & Emergency Access
Alerts, evacuation planning, accessible routes, and emergency communication.

Preparing Before Arrival
Accessibility information, websites, contact options, and knowing what to expect.

Overall Experience
Independence, dignity, choice, participation, comfort, and enjoyment.

A practical process designed for improvement.

ASSESS

Your organization is evaluated using the Access Beyond accessibility framework.

IDENTIFY

We identify strengths, barriers, critical requirements, and opportunities for improvement.

RATE

Your demonstrated accessibility is evaluated against the four Access Beyond levels: ★ Accessible · ★★ Enhanced · ★★★ Inclusive · ★★★★ Exceptional

IMPROVE

You receive prioritized recommendations to help remove barriers, strengthen the experience, and advance toward the next level.

REASSESS

As improvements are made, progress can be verified and your rating can advance.

Accessibility isn't a one-time project. It's a process of continuous improvement.

Recognition should mean something.

Access Beyond Certification isn't based simply on an organization's self-report that accessibility features exist.

Depending on the organization and certification process, verification may include:

• Photographs

• Video

• Measurements

• Policy and procedure review

• Website and communication review

• Supporting documentation

• Virtual verification

• On-site assessment

• Follow-up questions or clarification

Verification helps ensure the Access Beyond rating reflects the accessibility people can reasonably expect to encounter.

Know what to do next.

Certification isn't just about receiving stars.

Organizations receive practical information to help identify which improvements can make the greatest difference.

Recommendations can be prioritized according to:  IMPACT • COMPLEXITY • EXPENSE • FEASIBILITY

Some improvements may involve long-term planning or capital investment.

Others may involve moving furniture, improving signage, updating a webpage, changing a procedure, offering another communication method, or providing employees with better training.

Better accessibility doesn't always require a bigger budget. Sometimes it starts with better decisions.

Let people know accessibility matters here.

Organizations that meet Access Beyond certification requirements receive recognition corresponding to their verified rating.

Recognition may include:

• Access Beyond certification mark and rating

• Digital recognition materials

• Website and social media assets

• Physical recognition materials

• Certification documentation

• Guidance for communicating accessibility accurately

• Recognition through Access Beyond directories or listings

The stars aren't simply an award.

They help people understand what kind of accessibility experience they can expect.

It means accessibility has been evaluated.

No certification can guarantee that every person will encounter a completely barrier-free experience.

Access Beyond doesn't make that promise.

Instead, certification verifies that defined accessibility criteria have been evaluated and that an organization has demonstrated achievement at a particular Access Beyond level.

It also provides a framework for listening, responding, improving, and advancing.

Certification recognizes meaningful progress without pretending the work is finished.

Accessibility has to keep working.

Accessibility can change.

Furniture moves. Equipment breaks. Websites are redesigned. Employees change. Policies evolve. Construction happens.

Access Beyond Certification is therefore maintained through periodic renewal, updated documentation, reassessment, and notification of significant changes that may affect accessibility.

This helps ensure an organization's rating represents the current experience, not simply what existed on assessment day.

Help us make the system stronger.

If someone encounters a significant accessibility barrier at an Access Beyond certified organization, we want to know.

Concerns can be reviewed to better understand what happened, whether conditions have changed, and whether follow-up with the certified organization is appropriate.

The goal is accountability and improvement — helping ensure Access Beyond recognition continues to have meaning for the people who rely on it.

Report an Accessibility Concern

Start where you are.
Build from there.

You don't need to know what rating your organization will earn before beginning.

Whether you're establishing essential access, working toward greater independence, creating more meaningful participation, or already leading the way, Access Beyond provides a framework for understanding where you are and what comes next.

Start Your Certification Journey

Talk With Us About Certification