You can hire an accessibility consultant, a Certified Access Specialist (CASp), or an ADA compliance company for ADA compliance audits, depending on your needs. Consultants and companies can provide expertise for both physical facilities and digital platforms, while CASp specialists are particularly useful for ensuring compliance with both federal and state regulations, especially in states like California.

Types of professionals to hire

Accessibility Consultants: These professionals have expertise in evaluating digital properties against ADA standards and can provide practical solutions for websites and other online platforms.

Certified Access Specialists (CASp): In California and other states, CASp experts conduct comprehensive audits of physical facilities to ensure they meet federal and state ADA guidelines. They can also provide services like ADA plan review before construction begins and serve as expert witnesses in legal cases.

ADA Compliance Companies: These firms offer a range of services, from initial evaluations and audits of physical buildings to providing construction-ready drawings and post-construction inspections.

Legal Counsel: If a lawsuit has already been filed, it is important to consult with an attorney specializing in ADA defense.

What they can do

Audit facilities: Inspect existing buildings to check for physical barriers and suggest improvements.

Review plans: Analyze architectural plans and specifications to ensure future designs meet accessibility requirements before construction.

Audit digital properties: Evaluate websites for compliance with digital accessibility standards, often using a combination of automated tools and manual review.

Provide solutions: Offer actionable reports and recommendations for making your facility or website accessible.

Assist with legal issues: Some specialists can provide expert witness services or help you navigate legal proceedings related to the ADA.

If you’re looking to hire someone for an ADA compliance audit (digital or physical space), here’s a breakdown of who to hire, what to look for, and some example vendors to get you started. I can also help you find local auditors in Manchester, CT if you’d like.

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✅ What kind of audit: digital vs physical

First, you should clarify what kind of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance audit you want:

• Website / mobile app / digital asset audit: Checking your digital presence against standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) (commonly WCAG 2.1 AA) and other accessibility rules.
• Physical facility audit: If you have a physical business location (storefront, office, etc.), you may need a physical-space ADA inspection (ramps, counters, signage, restrooms, etc.).

Make sure you pick a firm specialized in the right domain.

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🎯 What to look for in a good audit vendor

Here are features/credentials you should expect:

1. Expertise in standards: They should mention WCAG versions (e.g., 2.1 AA), ADA Title III (for public accommodations) or Title II (for public entities) if applicable, Section 508 for US government, etc.
   For example: one firm says they test to WCAG 2.2 AA with manual testing + assistive tech. [1]
2. Manual testing + assistive technology: Automated scans are helpful but not sufficient. You’ll want audits that include screen-reader testing, keyboard navigation, etc.
   Example: “manual expert testing, assistive technology coverage” from a vendor. [2]
3. Detailed reporting & remediation guidance: It’s not enough to identify issues—you want actionable fixes, code-level notes (for websites), or prioritized items. E.g., one vendor says they provide “clear, developer-friendly solutions” and prioritized issues. [3]
4. Ongoing monitoring / maintenance: Accessibility isn’t “one-and-done”. For websites especially, new content/features can introduce new issues. Some vendors offer monitoring. [4]
5. Avoid gimmicks: Be wary of “quick fix widgets” claiming full compliance via a plug-in overlay. One Reddit user warns:

“Anyone proposing a a11y overlay widget is not a pro.” [5]

6. Good reputation & specialization: Look for firms with case studies, trusted clients, preferably ones with accessibility credentials (e.g., people with disabilities testing, recognized certifications, etc.).
7. Clear scope & documentation: You’ll want a scope (what pages/screens, what documents, mobile vs desktop, etc.), and a final report or certificate you can show if needed.

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🛠 Example vendors you can consider

Here are some firms that provide ADA / accessibility audits (digital). You’d want to contact them to get a quote, scope, and see whether their services match your needs.

• Deque Systems — A well-known digital accessibility company offering auditing, tools, training. [6]
• ADA Web Services — Offers website accessibility audits and remediation, focusing on WCAG 2.1 AA. [7]
• Be Accessible — Digital accessibility audits and repair services including document accessibility. [8]
• Inclind, Inc. — Web dev agency with accessibility audit + remediation services. [9]
• Oyova — Website compliance audits + remediation services. [10]

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🔍 How to pick the right vendor for you

Here are some tailored questions you should ask:

• What standard will the audit test against (WCAG version, level AA, AAA, etc.)?
• Will there be manual testing (e.g., real people using screen readers) or only automated scans?
• What scope is included? (How many pages/screens? Mobile vs desktop? Documents like PDFs?)
• Will you get a report with prioritized issues + code-level notes?
• Can they help with remediation/fixes, or is it just a report?
• Do they provide ongoing monitoring to catch future issues?
• Can they provide references or case studies?
• What’s the timeframe and cost estimate?
• For physical space (if needed): Do they have experience with facility ADA compliance, not just digital?

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If you like, I can pull together 3-5 local ADA audit vendors in or around Manchester, Connecticut (or statewide in CT) with their info and rough pricing, so you can pick someone nearby. Would that be helpful?