Organization Self-Assessment

This work is supported by the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services - Disability Services Division.
Introduction

The Disability Friendly Assessment is a self-assessment tool designed to help organizations understand how accessible, usable, and inclusive their environments, systems, and practices are for people with disabilities.

While many organizations focus on meeting minimum legal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), compliance alone does not always reflect the lived experience of people with disabilities. This assessment goes beyond compliance to help identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for meaningful improvement.

What This Tool Is — and Is Not

This assessment is:
  • Not an audit, inspection, or legal determination
  • Not a test you will pass or fail

It is a structured reflection tool to support learning, planning, and progress. The goal is honest self-reflection, not perfection.

Scope of Accessibility
This assessment addresses access needs across disability experiences, including (but not limited to):

  • Mobility disabilities
  • Blind and low-vision access
  • Deaf and hard-of-hearing access
  • Sensory access
  • Cognitive and Neurodivergent access
  • Chronic illness and fatigue-related access
  • Aging
Accessibility is evaluated as a system; recognizing that meaningful inclusion results from physical design, communication practices, digital systems, policies, staff readiness, leadership, and accountability working together.


How Scoring Works
Each category is scored on a 0–3 scale, based on current practice:

  • Level 0 – Not Compliant: Below ADA or equivalent legal standards
  • Level 1 – Baseline / Compliant: Meets ADA or equivalent minimum standards
  • Level 2 – Enhanced / Accessible: Implements best practices beyond compliance
  • Level 3 – Universal / Inclusive: Proactively designed with and by people with disabilities, aligned with Universal Design principles
Select the level that most accurately reflects your organization today, not future goals.


How to Complete the Assessment
  • Answer based on typical practices, not isolated examples
  • If access varies, respond based on what is most common
  • Select Not Applicable (N/A) where appropriate
  • Optional open-ended questions are included for context
Before You Begin

On the next page, you will be asked a few brief questions about your role and relationship to the organization. This helps ensure results are interpreted accurately. Multiple members from each organization are welcome and encouraged to participate in this assessment as a group.

Thank you for taking the time to engage thoughtfully with this assessment. Your participation supports more accessible and inclusive communities for everyone.
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