Accessibility inspections in Brazil: how they work and how to prepare

What is an accessibility inspection?

An accessibility inspection is a site visit to survey a building's access, circulation, wayfinding and use conditions within the agreed scope. The professional observes spaces, takes measurements and records information for analysis against applicable requirements.

The visit may form part of preparing a report, but it is not the final deliverable. Survey findings need to be analysed and organised into conclusions. Explore our accessibility report service to understand how the survey relates to the assessment.

Is a commissioned inspection the same as a municipal inspection?

Not necessarily. A commissioned assessment has purposes and deliverables defined in the proposal. A public authority's inspection forms part of an administrative procedure with its own rules. Neither should be assumed to replace the other.

For example, the municipality of Chapecó describes an inspection service for operating licences. That local procedure does not determine the price, timeframe or documents for a private service in another city.

If you received a requirement, share the full text and identify the requesting authority before hiring. For licensing needs, see also our accessibility report for licensing.

Which information and documents should you gather?

Preparation starts with the assessment's purpose: identifying barriers, planning alterations or responding to a request. Gather what is available and identify anything missing rather than producing documents just to complete a generic checklist.

• Address, building use, approximate floor area and number of floors or units.
• Available drawings, surveys, designs and specifications.
• Previous reports, notices and documents related to the assessment's purpose.
• Details of alterations, layout changes, access restrictions and operating hours.

How to arrange the property for the visit

Assign someone to accompany the team and arrange permission for the spaces included in the scope. Coordinate shared-area access with building management when needed. Identify locked rooms, controlled-entry areas and safety restrictions.

Show how the space actually operates. Describe recurring obstacles and temporary changes; do not conceal a condition to make the visit appear favourable. If a space cannot be assessed, the limitation should be discussed and recorded.

In an occupied clinic, for example, room access might be arranged between appointments while protecting people's privacy. This is a hypothetical planning example, not a rule about duration or a guarantee that every operation can continue without adjustments.

What happens during the inspection?

The route is planned around the building and the work's purpose. It may include arrival, entrance, circulation, level changes, toilets, furniture and signage. Elements need to be considered together: an adequate doorway does not resolve a route interrupted elsewhere.

The team collects relevant measurements and records to compare conditions with ABNT NBR 9050 and other applicable requirements. Photographs sent beforehand and checklists support preparation but do not replace the necessary assessment. See the limitations of our initial accessibility checklist.

What happens afterwards, and how long does it take?

After the visit, the professional analyses the records, may request further information and prepares the agreed deliverable. Technical guidance should explain findings, limitations and next steps. Timing depends on size, complexity, access and available documents; there is no single duration for every property.

Check the proposal for professional responsibility and expected deliverables. See who can issue the report and how to check ART and RRT and what affects report pricing. Design, construction and further visits need clearly defined scopes.