Analysis of the Accessibility of Public Facilities Using the AuditOmate Application
Purpose: The aim of the research presented in this article was to conduct an individual and comparative analysis of the accessibility of six public institutions in Poland - local city and commune buildings. The scope of the analysis included assessing compliance with architectural, information-communication, and digital accessibility requirements in each of the examined facilities, as well as comparing the overall level of accessibility provided in offices serving residents of different municipalities and towns. An additional objective was to carry out a pilot study using the proprietary AuditOmate tool, developed for the purposes of conducting accessibility audits. Approach/Methodology/Design: The presented research and the developed tool align in their assumptions with the principles of universal design and accessibility. Methodologically, the study is based on an individual and comparative analysis of the examined public buildings, using a custom-developed digital tool - the AuditOmate application. The structure and methodology of the application's operation process are presented in detail in the article. Findings: The pilot studies on the accessibility of public utility buildings conducted in 2022–2023 using the AuditOmate application confirmed the relevance of employing digital tools to support the auditing process. The analysis of six facilities indicated an overall moderate level of accessibility, with significant discrepancies across the three assessment modules. Architectural accessibility was moderately ensured (49%), information and communication accessibility proved to be the weakest area (27%), while the highest level of compliance was recorded in the field of digital accessibility (73%). The results highlight the need for further development of auditing tools and for more in-depth actions aimed at improving accessibility. Practical Implications: The presented research has two aspects of practical application. The digital tool AuditOmate was tested within the pilot studies and can subsequently be used by various public institutions and other entities to conduct accessibility audits of their facilities. The data from the accessibility reports generated by the application may serve as a basis for developing general policies or specific actions aimed at ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities. Originality/Value: The pilot study presented in the article was conducted using the dedicated mobile application AuditOmate, developed by a team of researchers from the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland. The application is an innovative digital tool that supports the measurement and analysis of accessibility. The conducted research provides significant value for the development of accessibility-related topics, as it enables comparative analyses of the accessibility of various institutions at both the general level and in detailed, issue-specific areas.