Terms of Reference (TOR): Consultancy Service for Physical Accessibility Audit of Municipal Buildings

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Consultancy Service for Physical Accessibility Audit of Municipal Buildings 

1. Background

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) is a youth-led, rights-based organization established in 2012, working with and for children and youth with disabilities in Nepal. In partnership with CBM Global Disability Inclusion, BYAN is implementing the YATRA Project (2026–2029) in Bagmati and Madhesh Provinces to strengthen grassroots, youth-led Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and promote the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in local governance and public service delivery.

Municipal offices are essential public institutions responsible for delivering services such as disability identity cards, social security allowances, vital registration, recommendations and other administrative services. However, persons with disabilities may face physical barriers when approaching, entering and moving around municipal buildings or accessing service counters and other facilities. These barriers can limit their ability to obtain public services safely, independently and with dignity, often resulting in dependence on others or additional difficulties in exercising their rights.

Although Nepal has legal and policy provisions promoting accessibility, including Article 42of the Constitution of Nepal, Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2074 (2017), the Directive for Accessible Physical Infrastructure and Communication Services for Persons with Disability, 2069 (2013), and Nepal National Building Code, physical accessibility gaps may persist in public buildings. Without a systematic assessment of the existing infrastructure, it is difficult for municipalities and other stakeholders to identify specific barriers, determine the improvements required and prioritize resources for making public facilities accessible.

Therefore, a physical accessibility audit is needed to assess the actual accessibility conditions of the main municipal office buildings in six selected municipalities. The audit will identify and document barriers through on-site inspections, measurements and the participation of persons with different types of disabilities. It will assess whether the buildings and their relevant facilities meet applicable accessibility requirements and examine how existing barriers affect access to municipal services.

The findings will provide each municipality with practical, evidence-based and prioritized recommendations to address identified barriers. These recommendations will help local governments identify immediate improvements and longer-term infrastructure modifications, plan and allocate resources, and progressively improve the accessibility of their offices and public service environments. The assignment will also strengthen the engagement of persons with disabilities and their organizations in promoting accountable, inclusive and accessible local governance.

In this context, BYAN seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consultancy team to conduct physical accessibility audits of the main municipal office buildings in Ratnanagar, Jeetpursimara, Chandrapur, Hariwan, Bardibas and Mithila municipalities. The assignment will produce six municipality-specific audit reports and a consolidated report to support evidence-based decision-making and practical action towards ensuring that persons with disabilities can access municipal buildings and public services on an equal basis with others.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

2.1 General Objective

To assess the physical accessibility of the main municipal office buildings in six selected municipalities and provide practical, evidence-based and prioritized recommendations to improve accessibility and enable persons with disabilities to access public services safely, independently and with dignity.

2.2 Specific Objectives

1. Assess existing accessibility conditions: Examine the physical accessibility of the selected municipal office buildings against applicable national accessibility standards, guidelines and building requirements.
2. Identify and document barriers: Identify and document physical barriers that restrict persons with different types of disabilities from approaching, entering, navigating and using municipal buildings and accessing public services.
3. Ensure meaningful participation: Incorporate the experiences and perspectives of persons with different types of disabilities, including women with disabilities, to understand the practical challenges they face when accessing municipal facilities and services.
4. Develop actionable recommendations: Propose specific, feasible and prioritized measures to address identified barriers, distinguishing between immediate improvements, short-term modifications and longer-term infrastructure requirements.
5. Support municipal planning and implementation: Provide municipality-specific recommendations and a consolidated analysis to help local governments prioritize accessibility improvements, estimate resource requirements and incorporate necessary measures into their plans and budgets.

3. Scope of Work

The audit will cover the main municipal office of the following six municipalities:

1. Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan, Bagmati Province
2. Jeetpursimara Sub-Metropolitan City, Bara, Madhesh Province
3. Chandrapur Municipality, Rautahat, Madhesh Province
4. Hariwan Municipality, Sarlahi, Madhesh Province
5. Bardibas Municipality, Mahottari, Madhesh Province
6. Mithila Municipality, Dhanusha, Madhesh Province

(Note: There could be minor changes which will be determined during the contract process.)

The selected consultant or consultancy team will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review of Laws, Policies and Standards: Review relevant national laws, policies, accessibility standards, guidelines, building codes, and the physical accessibility audit checklist. 
2. Preparation of Field Assessment Plan: Develop a field assessment methodology, work plan, and visit schedule in coordination with BYAN for conducting accessibility audits in the six selected municipalities.
3. Coordination and Mobilization: Coordinate with BYAN and municipal authorities to facilitate building access and field visits, and ensure the participation of persons with different disabilities to ensure that the audit process is participatory. 
4. On-site Physical Accessibility Audits: Conduct on-site audits of the main municipal office buildings in all six municipalities between 27th Oct. 2026 to 7th Nov. 2026. allocating one full day per municipality. Assess accessibility through observations, measurements, photographs, and consultations with persons with disabilities and relevant stakeholders.
5. Analysis and Preparation of Draft Reports: Analyze the findings against applicable accessibility standards and prepare six municipality-specific draft audit reports and one consolidated report, identifying key barriers and gaps and providing practical, evidence-based, and prioritized recommendations for accessibility improvements.
6. Presentation of Findings and Incorporation of Feedback: Present the findings and recommendations to BYAN and relevant stakeholders, as required, and incorporate the feedback received into the reports.
7. Submission of Final Reports: Submit final municipality-specific accessibility audit reports and consolidated report in accessible Microsoft Word format, incorporating the agreed feedback and providing prioritized recommendations to support municipal planning, budgeting, and implementation of accessibility improvements.

4. Deliverables and Timeline

The consultant shall submit the following deliverables within the agreed assignment timeline:

1. Inception Report: Including the methodology, accessibility audit tools and checklist, fieldwork schedule, stakeholder coordination approach, and expected outputs.
2. Draft Accessibility Audit Reports: Six municipality-specific draft reports documenting the audit findings, identified accessibility barriers, consultations with persons with disabilities, photographs or other supporting evidence where appropriate, and prioritized recommendations.
3. Consolidated Draft Report: A consolidated report synthesizing findings across all six municipalities, highlighting common and municipality-specific barriers, good practices, and key recommendations for improving accessibility and disability inclusion.
4. Presentation of Findings: Presentation of the key findings and recommendations to BYAN and relevant stakeholders, as required, and incorporation of their feedback into the reports.
5. Final Accessibility Audit Reports: Six finalized municipality-specific reports and one consolidated final report, incorporating feedback and including practical, prioritized recommendations. All reports shall be submitted in accessible Microsoft Word format.

All reports will be submitted in Word format.

It is estimated that the assignment shall begin from 26th Oct. 2026 and should have completed by 7th Nov. 2026.

6. Coordination and Reporting

The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator, YATRA Project, BYAN.

BYAN will send official letters to the six municipalities, arrange access to the buildings and connect the consultant with local OPDs.

BYAN will cover the travel and refreshment costs of the OPD participants.

7. Payment Terms

Payment will be made after the satisfactory completion of the assignment.

The budget must include consultancy fee only. Assignment related field travels, accommodation and OPDs consultation will be managed by the BYAN itself or be determined based on the consensus between both parties.  

8. Qualification and Experience

The consultant/firm undertaking the accessibility audit should meet the following minimum qualifications and experience:

• Academic qualification: A bachelor’s degree in disability studies, social sciences, civil engineering, architecture, development studies, or a related field. 
• Relevant experience: At least 3 years of professional experience in accessibility audits, disability inclusion, universal design, inclusive infrastructure, or related assignments.
• Technical knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of disability rights, the rights-based approach to disability, universal design principles, reasonable accommodation, and national accessibility standards, policies, and relevant laws of Nepal.
• Practical experience: Proven experience in conducting on-site accessibility assessments of physical infrastructure, facilities, services, and information and communication systems, as applicable.
• Inclusive participation: Experience in consulting and engaging persons with disabilities, including persons with different types of disabilities, in accessibility assessments and validation processes.
• Reporting and documentation: Strong analytical, report-writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Language and communication: Proficiency in Nepali and English, with the ability to communicate findings clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Note: Individuals or firms with demonstrated experience in participatory accessibility audits and the application of national and international accessibility standards will be given preference.

9. Application Procedure

Interested consultants should submit:

• Expression of Interest: a signed letter expressing interest in the assignment.
• Short Proposal: methodology, work plan and budget in Nepalese Rupees (NPR), inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• Past Work: a list of accessibility audits completed, with at least one sample report.
• CVs: CVs of the team leader and team members.
• Relevant legal documents including PAN/VAT and other legal documents.

Applications should be sent by email to procurement@byanepal.org with the subject line “Application for Accessibility Audit of Municipal Buildings - YATRA Project”.

Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Persons with disabilities and women are encouraged to apply.

BYAN reserves the right to accept or reject any application without giving a reason.

Submission Deadline: 17 October 2026 

Note: The TOR is subject to revision/change based on discussion and mutual agreement with the selected consultant/consulting firm. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for further selection processes, including interview/presentation if required.