CASp Inspection Services for California Businesses
A CASp inspection helps California property and business owners identify accessibility barriers and understand which state and federal accessibility standards apply to their facility.
Proactive Access provides CASp inspection services throughout Southern California, including San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Our accessibility experts have completed more than 1,000 field evaluations for restaurants, retail stores, shopping centers, hotels, medical offices and other commercial properties.
During your inspection, a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) evaluates the public areas of your property for construction-related accessibility compliance. After the inspection, you receive a detailed CASp report that identifies any accessibility issues that need correction.
For property owners seeking the legal benefits available under California's CASp program, an inspection and report completed in accordance with CRASCA may provide “qualified defendant” status when applicable requirements are met.
1,000+ Field Evaluations | CASp #630 | Independent Accessibility Consultants | Serving Southern California
What Is a CASp Inspection?
A CASp inspection is an accessibility evaluation performed by a California Certified Access Specialist. CASps are certified by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and have specialized knowledge of state and federal construction-related accessibility standards.
Unlike a basic accessibility checklist, a CASp evaluation considers your facility's age, construction history and existing condition while conducting a thorough review of the site.
A typical inspection evaluates public areas and accessible features such as:
Parking spaces and access aisles
Accessible routes and walkways
Entrances, exits and doors
Ramps and changes in level
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Dining surfaces and service counters
Signage and other accessible features
After the inspection, you receive a detailed CASp report documenting the areas evaluated, applicable accessibility issues, photographs, relevant code references and general recommendations for correcting identified barriers.
When a CASp inspection is performed in accordance with California's Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act (CRASCA), the property owner may also be eligible for qualified-defendant benefits when the statutory requirements are satisfied.
Why Hire a Certified Access Specialist?
Accessibility requirements can be difficult to evaluate without specialized knowledge, particularly for existing California buildings where the accessibility requirements are more restrictive and ever changing.
A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can help identify accessibility barriers, determine which construction-related accessibility standards apply and provide a practical roadmap for addressing the issues found during an inspection.
Identify Accessibility Issues Before They Become Bigger Problems
A CASp inspection can uncover both obvious and easily overlooked accessibility barriers. These may include improperly configured accessible parking, excessive slopes, inaccessible routes, incorrect door hardware or pressure, restroom clearances, service counter heights and signage.
Finding these issues proactively gives property owners an opportunity to plan corrections rather than discovering accessibility problems after a complaint or lawsuit.
Understand What Actually Needs to Be Corrected
Not every existing building is evaluated exactly the same way. A CASp considers the property's age, occupancy and use when determining the accessibility requirements that apply.
Your CASp report identifies the barriers observed during the inspection, provides applicable code references and helps establish a practical plan for improving accessibility.
Potential Legal Benefits in California
A qualifying CASp inspection performed before a construction-related accessibility claim is filed may help a property owner obtain certain legal benefits available under California law, provided the applicable statutory requirements are satisfied.
These benefits can include qualified-defendant status, an early evaluation conference, a temporary stay of court proceedings and potential reductions in minimum statutory damages under qualifying circumstances.
Improve Access for Customers and Visitors
Beyond compliance and risk management, removing accessibility barriers makes it easier for people with disabilities to independently access your business, services and facilities.
Improved accessibility can benefit customers, employees and visitors while helping property owners maintain facilities that serve a broader portion of the community.
What to Expect During a CASp Inspection
A CASp inspection is a detailed, on-site evaluation of your property's public areas and accessibility features. Proactive Access evaluates the facility, documents accessibility barriers and provides a written report explaining the issues identified and recommended corrective actions.
1. Pre-Inspection Review
Before the site visit, we gather information about the property, including the age of the property, current use, address, number of parking stalls, number of restrooms, etc.
2. On-Site Accessibility Inspection
A Certified Access Specialist evaluates applicable public areas and accessibility features throughout the property. Depending on the facility, this may include parking, accessible routes, entrances, doors, ramps, restrooms, service counters, dining areas, signage and other elements. Measurements, photographs and field observations are documented during the inspection.
3. CASp Inspection Report
After the site visit, Proactive Access prepares a detailed CASp report documenting the accessibility barriers identified during the inspection. The report includes photographs, applicable code references and recommendations to help you understand what should be corrected.
4. Correction Planning
Not every accessibility issue needs to be approached the same way. We help clients understand the findings to prioritize corrections and develop a practical strategy for improving accessibility. The report can also facilitate a schedule for correcting identified violations as part of the requirements associated with California's CASp program.
5. Ongoing Accessibility Support
Our involvement doesn't have to end when the report is delivered. Proactive Access can answer questions about the findings, discuss proposed corrections and help property owners, contractors and design professionals understand the accessibility requirements involved.
What to Expect from Your CASp Inspection Report
Your CASp inspection report documents the accessibility barriers identified during the evaluation and provides the information you need to understand and plan appropriate corrections. Your report includes:
Photographic Documentation — Photos of accessibility barriers and relevant site conditions.
Code References — References to federal and California accessibility requirements.
Measurements and Diagrams — Field measurements and diagrams that help explain the conditions observed.
Barrier Removal Recommendations — Recommendations for addressing accessibility issues identified during the inspection.
Plain-English Explanations — Clear explanations designed to help property and business owners understand the findings.
Want to see what a completed CASp inspection report looks like? Review our sample report to see the level of detail you can expect.
Potential Legal Benefits of a CASp Inspection in California
California's CASp program encourages property and business owners to proactively identify and correct accessibility barriers before a construction-related accessibility claim is filed.
When a CASp inspection is completed in accordance with the Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act (CRASCA) and the applicable statutory requirements are satisfied, a property owner may qualify for certain legal benefits as a “qualified defendant.”
Potential benefits can include:
The ability to request a 90-day stay of court proceedings
An early evaluation conference
Eligibility for reduced minimum statutory damages under qualifying circumstances
Additional protections that may be available to certain qualifying small businesses
To obtain qualified-defendant status for a construction-related accessibility claim, the CASp inspection, required report and compliance schedule generally must be in place before the claim is filed. Additional requirements apply, and eligibility for reduced statutory damages depends on the circumstances and timely correction of qualifying violations.
What Is a Disability Access Inspection Certificate?
Following a qualifying CASp inspection, the CASp provides a Disability Access Inspection Certificate (DAIC) issued through the California Division of the State Architect.
The certificate documents that the property has been inspected by a Certified Access Specialist. It is not a certificate stating that the property is fully compliant (Those don’t exist).
Property owners should keep the original certificate and CASp inspection report with their records.
For detailed information about eligibility and legal benefits, review the California Division of the State Architect's CASp Property Inspection guidance or consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific circumstances.
Who Should Get a CASp Inspection?
A CASp inspection can benefit California property owners, business owners, landlords and tenants who want to identify accessibility barriers before they lead to complaints, costly corrections or construction-related accessibility claims.
Inspections are particularly valuable when purchasing or leasing a property, planning renovations, responding to known accessibility concerns or simply evaluating an existing facility that has never received a professional accessibility inspection.
Commercial Property Owners & Landlords
Understand accessibility conditions throughout your property and identify barriers that may affect tenants, customers and visitors.Business Owners & Tenants
Identify accessibility issues within the areas you operate and better understand which improvements may be your responsibility under your lease.Restaurants & Hospitality Businesses
Evaluate accessible parking, entrances, routes, dining areas, service counters, restrooms and other customer-facing features.Retail & Shopping Centers
Review accessible routes, parking, entrances, sales and service areas, fitting rooms when applicable, and other public features.Medical & Professional Offices
Identify accessibility barriers affecting parking, entrances, waiting areas, service areas, restrooms and accessible routes through the facility.Hotels & Lodging Facilities
Evaluate common areas and accessibility features unique to lodging facilities, including accessible guest rooms when included within the inspection scope.Property Buyers & Prospective Tenants
A CASp inspection before purchasing or entering a lease can help identify accessibility conditions that could affect future improvement costs and responsibilities.
Why Choose Proactive Access for Your CASp Inspection?
Choosing a CASp inspector is about more than completing an accessibility checklist. You need an experienced professional who can accurately identify accessibility barriers, clearly explain the findings and remain available when questions arise.
1,000+ Accessibility Field Evaluations
Led by Cory Cabral, CASp #630, the Proactive Access team has completed more than 1,000 accessibility field evaluations for businesses and commercial properties throughout California.
Our experience includes restaurants, retail stores, shopping centers, hotels, medical and dental offices, commercial properties and other public accommodations.
Independent Accessibility Consultants
Proactive Access does not perform construction work. Our role is to evaluate accessibility conditions and provide independent recommendations based on the conditions observed during the inspection.
Because we don't profit from performing the corrective construction work, our focus remains on helping you understand what needs attention and why.
Practical, Easy-to-Understand Reports
Accessibility codes can be complicated. Our CASp reports are designed to clearly document the barriers identified, explain the requirements and provide practical recommendations for addressing the findings.
Support After Your Inspection
Our relationship doesn't end when we deliver your report. We remain available to discuss findings and answer questions about proposed corrections as you work through accessibility improvements.
Southern California Accessibility Experience
Proactive Access provides CASp inspection and accessibility consulting services throughout Southern California including: San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
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CASp inspection costs vary based on the size, type and complexity of the property and the scope of the inspection. Proactive Access offers customized quotes after reviewing your facility. For typical pricing and the factors that affect inspection costs, visit our CASp Inspection Cost & Pricing guide.
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Yes. An older building is not automatically exempt from accessibility requirements simply because of its age. However, the standards that apply to an existing facility can depend on factors such as when it was constructed, previous alterations and the accessibility requirements in effect at those times. A CASp can evaluate the property's history and existing conditions to help determine which requirements apply.
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Not necessarily. The appropriate correction schedule depends on the barriers identified, applicable accessibility requirements and your property's circumstances. For property owners seeking qualified-defendant benefits under California's CASp program, specific requirements apply to the inspection, report and schedule for correcting violations.
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Most CASp inspections can be completed in one day, depending on the size and complexity of the property. Proactive Access typically delivers the completed inspection report within 3–5 business days after the site inspection.
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Yes. Proactive Access remains available after the inspection to answer questions about the report and discuss identified accessibility issues. We can also review proposed corrections and provide accessibility plan review services for future renovations or improvements.
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An ADA inspection focuses on accessibility requirements under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. A CASp inspection is performed by a California Certified Access Specialist and evaluates applicable federal and California construction-related accessibility standards. A qualifying CASp inspection may also provide certain legal benefits under California law when the statutory requirements are satisfied.
Take a Proactive Approach to Accessibility Compliance
Accessibility issues are often easier and less expensive to address when they are identified before a complaint, renovation or construction-related accessibility claim brings them to your attention.
A professional CASp inspection gives you a clearer understanding of your property's existing accessibility conditions, the barriers that were identified and the steps you can take to address them.
Proactive Access helps California property and business owners navigate accessibility requirements with practical guidance based on real-world experience. Led by Cory Cabral, CASp #630, our team has completed more than 1,000 accessibility field evaluations throughout Southern California.
Whether you own a restaurant, retail store, medical office, hotel, shopping center or other commercial property, we'll help you understand the accessibility issues affecting your facility and develop a practical path forward.
Ready to find out where your property stands?