CASp Inspection Benefits For California Businesses
Accessibility is not just about compliance. Proactive compliance is about protecting your property and welcoming more customers to your business. It also helps create an inclusive community.
A CASp inspection is one of the smartest investments a California business can make. Our expert consultants provides both legal protections and practical solutions that help your business thrive. We support businesses across Southern California. From restaurants in San Diego to retail and medical offices in Los Angeles and Orange County.
What is a CASp Inspection
A CASp survey is a non-invasive site evaluation performed by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp). A trained expert will evaluate your property. They assess it meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Building Code (CBC) accessibility standards.
Inspection of facilities typically covers common problem areas including but not limited to:
Parking Lots and Loading Zones
Entrances and Exits
Restrooms and Drinking Fountains
Accessible Routes and Ramps
Dining Tables & Counters
Signage and wayfinding
Upon completion, you receive a detailed Report that documents accessibility barriers, code citations, photos, and general recommendations for barrier removal. CASp inspected businesses also can get a Disability Access Inspection Certificate (DAIC). This certificate shows the public and potential litigants that you care about accessibility.
Importantly, businesses inspected by our experts may qualify as a Qualified Defendant under California law, which grants legal protections against accessibility lawsuits.
Why Hire a CASp Expert
Hiring a an accessibility expert is not just about accessibility compliance. It helps protect your investment, lower exposure to ADA lawsuits, and welcome more people.
Legal Protection & Risk Reduction
Lawsuit Deterrence: A CASp evaluation and report demonstrate proactive approach toward accessibility compliance, making your business less attractive to serial litigants.
Qualified Defendant Status: Owners of inspected facilities can request a 90-day pause on construction-related accessibility lawsuits. They may also qualify for lower statutory damages, reducing the amount from $4,000 to $1,000 for each occurance.
Enhanced Accessibility
Expert Evaluation: Certified Access Specialists receive training to find problems both significant and subtle. They look for obvious issues like improper parking stall striping and missing grab bars. They also spot easy to fix items like high door pressures and sign placement that others might miss.
Inclusive Environment: Removing barriers improves access for customers, employees, and visitors with disabilities.
Financial & Tax Benefits
Tax Incentives: Many improvements qualify for the federal Disabled Access Tax Credit or deductions.
Cost Savings: Fixing accessibility barriers early costs far less than defending a lawsuit or paying settlements.
Improved Reputation & Customer Trust
Positive Brand Image: Displaying a DAIC Certificate builds community trust.
Wider Customer Base: Accessibility improvements attract the nearly 1 in 4 Americans with a disability.
The CASp Inspection Process
At Proactive Access, our inspection process is straightforward and professional. Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Consultation – We’ll learn about your property, goals, and any past accessibility concerns.
On-Site Survey – A certified inspector conducts a non-invasive evaluated of your facility. The inspection includes: accessible routes, parking, restrooms, signage, and more.
Detailed CASp Report – You’ll receive written documentation with photos, diagrams, code references, and general recommendations.
Disability Access Inspection Certificate (DAIC) – Once complete, we order your official certificate from the state of California.
Ongoing Support – Our team is available to answer questions and assist with developing a barrier removal strategy. We also offer additional services such as plan review for future renovations.
What to Expect from Your Report
Your CASp report is a comprehensive document that becomes your roadmap to compliance. It includes:
Photographic Documentation of existing accessibility barriers
Code citations from ADA Standards and CBC
Diagrams and measurements for clarity
Barrier removal recommendations prioritized by cost and impact
Plain-English explanations so business owners can easily understand findings
Want to see a sample report so you can see the level of detail before you commit?
Legal Protections in California
California created the Certified Access Specialist program to encourage proactive compliance. Two key laws—SB 1608 and SB 1186—offer benefits to businesses that hire a CASp inspector:
90-day Stay of Litigation: Inspected business owners may pause lawsuits for 3 months. This gives businesses time to engage legal counsel and create a defense plan. This plan may include fixing the claimed issues.
Early Evaluation Conference (EEC): Encourages faster, less costly resolutions.
Reduced Damages: Statutory damages reduced from $4,000 to $1,000 per occurrence.
Deterrence of Frivolous Lawsuits: Displaying a “CASp Inspected” certificate signals good-faith compliance efforts.
By acting early, businesses gain immediate legal protections recognized in California—even before completing all recommended upgrades.
Who Needs a CASp Evaluation
Any California business open to the public should consider an accessibility survey. Accessibility compliance is especially important for:
Restaurants – Frequent targets of accessibility lawsuits.
Retail Stores – Every public-facing element must be accessible.
Hotels & Lodging – Industry-specific requirements for rooms and amenities.
Medical Facilities – Higher compliance standards than most businesses.
Shopping Centers – Parking is a common trigger for lawsuits.
Gas Stations – Fuel pumps and convenience stores are frequent problem areas.
Choosing the Right Inspector
Not all CASp inspectors offer the same level of expertise or service. Here’s why Proactive Access stands out:
Experience: Our experts have performed well over 1,000 field evaluations for small shops and large corporations.
No Conflicts of Interest: We don’t perform construction work, so our reports are unbiased.
Fast Response Times: We answer calls and emails quickly.
Ongoing Support: We remain a resource even after the inspection is complete.
Client-First Mission: We started our company to help businesses reduce legal risks and expand access.
Restaurants
Restaurants are one of the most targeted facilities by high frequency litigants. Our expert staff have evaluated hundreds of restaurants.
San Diego & Los Angeles Facilities The We Service:
Retail Establishments
All areas that are open to the public in retail facilities must be accessible to people with disabilities. Our Certified Access Specialists will thoroughly evaluate all applicable areas and elements of the retail facility.
Hotels & Lodging
Lodging facilities have many accessibility requirements that are specific to the industry. Our consultants have surveyed large resorts, small boutique hotels and everything in between.
Medical and Dental Facilities
Medical facilities have a higher level of accessibility standards compared to most public accommodations. Our experts will inspect all areas and elements of the medical facility.
Commercial Facilities
Shopping centers often face lawsuits about accessibility. Parking issues are the most common claims in ADA lawsuits. Our experts have evaluated commercial facilities of all sizes.
Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
Fuel stations are often targeted by high frequency litigants for non-compliant fuel pumps and convenience stores. Our inspectors will inspect all areas and elements of the fuel station facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Costs vary depending on property size and complexity. We provide free customized quotes after reviewing your facility details.
-
No “grandfather clause” exists in the ADA. All public accommodations must meet minimum standards, regardless of age.
-
No. The CASp report allows you to create a reasonable timeline for barrier removal. Legal protections begin the day of inspection.
-
Our accessibility experts typically complete inspections in one day and deliver reports within 3-5 business days after the inspection.
-
Yes. We provide ongoing support, answer questions, and can review plans for future renovations.
A Proactive Approach to ADA Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. However, many businesses still do not follow it today. A common misconception is that older buildings are “grandfathered” into compliance—this is not true.
California goes further with the California Building Code (CBC). This code often has stricter rules than the federal ADA. These overlapping regulations can perplex business owners.
Proactive Access is ready to assist. We simplify compliance by clarifying the necessary actions. Additionally, we aid in discovering budget-friendly solutions. Every enhancement minimizes legal risks and broadens your customer reach.
Don’t wait for a lawsuit to find out your property isn’t compliant. A CASp evaluation is the most effective way to protect your business, gain peace of mind, and welcome more customers.