Check a place for possible access barriers

Take or pick a photo of a building, shop, venue or service. Equal Access flags possible physical access barriers, possible missing reasonable adjustments, and signs or notices that may single people out — then explains what may be worth checking, in plain English.

Coming soon to the App Store

The iPhone app

What Equal Access does

Equal Access is a native iPhone app. You photograph a place, or choose a photo you already have. The app then highlights things that may affect access, including:

  • possible physical access barriers, such as steps, narrow doors, no ramp or handrail, or poor signage
  • possible missing reasonable adjustments
  • signs or notices that may single people out

You can save scans to your history and export a PDF report.

Who it is for

For the public

If you are a disabled person, a carer, or anyone checking a place before you visit — or raising an issue — Equal Access can help you notice possible access problems and read clear guidance about what may be worth looking at more closely.

For businesses

If you run a shop, venue or service, you can use Equal Access to self-audit your premises and signage. It is a way to review what a visitor might encounter, and to see what may be worth checking.

How it works

  1. Photograph a place Take a photo, or pick one of a building, shop, venue or service.
  2. Review possible issues The app flags potential access barriers, possible missing reasonable adjustments, and signs or notices that may single people out.
  3. Read plain-English guidance Findings point to clear guidance about what may be worth checking. This is information, not legal advice.
  4. Save or export Keep the scan in your history, or export a PDF report.

Where the guidance comes from

The app is intended to be free and available worldwide on the App Store. You can use it in any country. Its written legal background covers only:

  • England and Wales, and Scotland — the Equality Act 2010;
  • Jersey — the Discrimination (Jersey) Law 2013; and
  • the United States — federal ADA only (state and local law is not covered).

Northern Ireland is not yet covered

If you choose “Somewhere else”, or you are in a country without a pack, you can still screen a photo. The notes are general design observations only. They do not state that country’s law, and they do not state Northern Ireland law. Please do not treat a note as a statement of local law outside the packs above.

Information, not legal advice

Equal Access gives information only. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. The app never makes a legal finding about a place, a sign or a practice. It uses wording such as “potential issue” or “worth checking”.

The full disclaimer is on the support page.

Your photos and your privacy

Photos are checked on your iPhone and never leave it. This version of the app does not offer cloud analysis and does not send photos to a server. Equal Access does not ask you to create an account.

Read the privacy policy for the full detail.