What does the Accessibility Index actually tell you?
We are sometimes asked whether a space can receive a full or high score even if major accessibility deficiencies are present. The answer is simple: it cannot. The Accessibility Index is designed to break accessibility down into concrete, measurable components so that deficiencies are reliably identified and made visible.
The Index provides an overall score from 0 to 100, as well as scores for different stages of the service journey, such as arrival, going around and wayfinding, services, restrooms, and accessibility information. Assessments are always carried out from the perspectives of mobility, vision, and hearing, ensuring that different accessibility needs are taken into account.
Each category consists of detailed criteria, ranging from continuous accessible routes and visual contrast to turning circles, signage legibility, and alarm systems. Different elements are weighted according to how significantly they affect the service journey. The Index is deliberately designed so that superficial or cosmetic accessibility improvements cannot result in high scores.
Another common question is whether and how the end-user perspective is taken into account. For us, it is the foundation of everything we do. That is why we include factors that are often overlooked in traditional checklist-based assessments. Beyond legislative requirements, the Index evaluates real-world usability from the end-user’s perspective. Our clients can choose whether to audit the employee journey, the customer journey, or both.
Legislation defines the minimum requirements. The Index shows how to move beyond that minimum toward a truly functional whole: solutions that benefit people with disabilities, older adults, people using strollers, those with temporary impairments, and ultimately anyone seeking a smooth and seamless user experience. This does not mean “everything for everyone at any cost,” but rather making the right choices at the right time. In particular, conducting an analysis before a major renovation or other changes can save both money and effort by avoiding costly retrofits later on.
It is important to understand that indexing is not an ending point, but a starting point. First, the baseline level is measured, both overall and by category. Development actions are then prioritized based on impact and urgency, followed by a structured, cost-effective implementation plan. The same metric is used consistently over time, making progress verifiable and enabling impact assessment, for example for sustainability reporting. At the same time, communication becomes easier, and end users and customers receive clear, consistent accessibility information.
Our clients apply the Accessibility Index in exactly this way. The Port of Helsinki uses it to support terminal development: first making the current state visible, then focusing on the most critical actions to ensure smooth travel for everyone. A Finnish hotel chain has integrated the Accessibility Index into continuous hotel development and future customer communication, aligning expectations with reality. In the renovation of Orion’s headquarters, the Accessibility Index supported more sustainable choices already at the design stage, enabled clear reporting for sustainability disclosures, and helped justify decisions to management.
In summary, Accessibility Index scores are not merely numbers on paper. The Index tells about everyday usability, guides organizations toward the most impactful actions, and makes progress verifiable. When accessibility can be measured using concrete, comparable data, it becomes easier to manage and easier to communicate.
Would you like to see what the Accessibility Index could bring to your sites and how real progress could be achieved quickly?
Book a 30-minute introduction:
anni@riesa.io
+358 45 417 2936