How to Write a Helpful Accessibility Review

Stick to What Actually Happened

When writing a review, focus on your direct experience.

Ask yourself:

• What happened?
• When did it happen?
• How was the issue handled?
• What stood out?

Specific details are often more helpful than emotional reactions.

For example:

"The cashier wasn't familiar with service dog policies but asked a manager for assistance and the issue was resolved quickly."

That gives readers useful information without speculation or assumptions.

Avoid Guessing Intentions

One of the easiest ways for reviews to become less helpful is when people start guessing what someone was thinking.

You may know what happened.

You usually don't know what someone intended.

Instead of:

Consider:

"The employee was discriminating against me."

"The employee requested documentation for my service dog and appeared unfamiliar with service dog access requirements."

The second statement gives readers facts they can understand and evaluate for themselves.

Recognize Positive Experiences

Accessibility reviews shouldn't only be used when something goes wrong.

Businesses that create welcoming environments deserve recognition too.

If an employee handled a situation well, if management responded professionally, or if a location consistently provides a positive experience, sharing that information helps the entire community.

Positive examples can be just as valuable as negative ones.

Be Fair

A single interaction does not always represent an entire business.

Whenever possible, evaluate how the situation was handled rather than focusing only on the problem itself.

Mistakes happen.

What often matters most is whether staff listened, responded professionally, and made an effort to address the concern.

Think About the Next Person

The best reviews are written with future visitors in mind.

Imagine someone reading your review before deciding whether to visit that location.

What information would genuinely help them?

Clear, factual, balanced reviews help create a stronger community and a more reliable platform for everyone.

Better Information Leads to Better Experiences

The goal of an accessibility review isn't to punish businesses or win arguments.

The goal is to create better information.

When people share honest experiences responsibly, businesses gain valuable feedback and community members gain valuable insight.

That benefits everyone involved.