CSA Accessibility Home Checker App

Guided Onboarding & Flexible Signup Process

• Problem: A well-designed onboarding experience is critical for accessibility and user engagement, especially for users unfamiliar with accessibility standards or the app's functionality. Without a structured introduction, new users may struggle to understand the app’s capabilities, where to start, or how it applies to their needs. Additionally, some users may want to explore resources before committing to a project, so restricting access until a project is created could create unnecessary friction.
• Solution: The onboarding and signup flow was designed to be informative yet flexible, ensuring all users feel supported without being forced into a rigid workflow. It includes introductory screens, personalized account setup, and an optional tool-tip tour for easy navigation. Users can skip project creation and still access the CSA Specification Library and dashboard, ensuring they engage with the app at their own pace.
• Research Insight: User research highlighted that many first-time users of accessibility tools need guidance but also flexibility. Some users want to dive straight into scanning, while others prefer browsing specifications first.

Organized Dashboard & In-App Image Library

• Problem: Users needed a centralized space to manage accessibility assessments and store relevant images separately from their phone’s gallery. Without an organized system, accessibility-related photos could get lost or forgotten, making it harder to track spaces that still need evaluation.
• Solution: The dashboard adapts to user needs, guiding first-time users while providing quick access to projects for returning users. The in-app image library allows users to upload, store, and manage accessibility-related photos separately, ensuring they remain organized and easy to retrieve. Users can also add or delete images as needed, keeping their workspace efficient.
• Research Insight: Users often forgot which images needed assessment when mixed with personal photos. By offering a dedicated image library, the app ensures accessibility-related visuals remain organized, accessible, and ready for evaluation at any time.

Create a New Project

• Problem: Users evaluating multiple spaces - whether homeowners planning renovations, property managers overseeing multiple units, or builders working on different projects—needed a way to organize and track their accessibility assessments. Without a structured system, keeping records of different evaluations became overwhelming and difficult to manage. Many also needed a way to differentiate between temporary and permanent accessibility solutions but struggled to categorize their projects effectively.
• Solution: To streamline project management, we introduced a "Create a New Project" feature that allows users to name their project, choose a category such as house, apartment, or condo, and specify whether the accessibility requirement is permanent or temporary. Users can also define the area they are assessing, such as a kitchen, bedroom, laundry room, or dining space.
• Research Insight: Our research showed that users often assess multiple areas separately and need a structured way to keep track of modifications. By making project creation simple and intuitive, we ensured that users can manage their accessibility improvements in a clear, organized, and efficient way.

Upload or Scan to Review Specifications

• Problem: Users needed a fast and accurate way to assess accessibility in a space, but manually referencing standards and taking measurements was time-consuming and complex. Builders, homeowners, and renters often struggled to match accessibility guidelines with real-world spaces, leading to incomplete or inaccurate modifications. Additionally, lighting conditions, clutter, and scanning angles could impact the effectiveness of AI-powered assessments.
• Solution: This feature allows users to either upload an existing photo from their gallery or scan an area in real-time using their device’s camera. Before scanning, users receive best practice tips, such as improving lighting and reducing clutter, to ensure higher accuracy. If the system detects poor lighting, it prompts the user to turn on the flash or adjust their environment. Once an image is selected or captured, the app automatically analyzes the space and retrieves relevant CSA accessibility specifications for review.
• Research Insight: Our research found that users wanted a flexible, guided way to assess accessibility without requiring technical expertise. Some preferred uploading photos from their gallery, while others needed a real-time scanning option for more precise evaluations. The guided scanning experience ensures users capture clear, high-quality images, leading to more reliable accessibility assessments.

AI-Powered Image Recognition for Accessibility Assessments

• Problem: Many users - especially homeowners and individuals without technical expertise—struggled to identify key accessibility elements in their space or understand which specifications applied to them.
• Solution: The AI-powered image recognition system automates the identification of key elements within a scanned or uploaded image. Once the system processes the image, it highlights interactive markers over identified areas (e.g., countertops, doorways, sinks). Users can click on these markers to see the name of the element and its corresponding accessibility specifications based on CSA standards. The app then provides detailed accessibility guidelines, recommended dimensions, material requirements, and compliance notes, making it easier for users to evaluate their space without needing technical knowledge.
• Research Insight: Our research found that users needed a way to bridge the gap between accessibility regulations and real-world application. Many homeowners were unfamiliar with which elements in their space needed modifications or how to interpret accessibility requirements. By integrating AI-powered image recognition, this feature removes guesswork, simplifies the process, and makes accessibility assessments more intuitive and actionable.

My Projects – Organizing Accessibility Assessments

• Problem: Users needed a way to store, manage, and revisit their accessibility assessments without losing track of their work. Whether assessing multiple spaces over time or working on phased modifications, keeping projects organized and accessible was essential. Without a structured system, past evaluations could get lost, and users might feel forced to delete completed projects to reduce clutter.
• Solution: The My Projects feature allows users to create, store, and manage multiple accessibility assessments in one place. Active projects remain easily accessible, while past projects can be archived instead of deleted, ensuring a clean, organized workspace. Users can unarchive projects at any time, allowing them to reference or continue previous assessments when needed. This effectively creates a portfolio of accessibility evaluations, giving users long-term access to their past assessments.
• Research Insight: Our research revealed that homeowners, builders, and property managers often revisit past projects for future renovations or compliance checks. By providing a structured way to keep, archive, and restore projects, this feature ensures that users can track accessibility improvements over time, reducing repetitive assessments and enhancing workflow efficiency.