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Continuing Education Credit* Members/guests meet the CE/LU requirements of numerous organizations by attending APA Training. APA is a registered provider with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR, #PVD312), Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR, #1521), American Institute of Architects (AIA/CES, #G583) and a preferred provider for the International Code Council (ICC, #1321). APA provides pre-verified ACTCP credits for the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP). We award an Accessibility Standards Completion Certificate, as well as APA-ADA Specialist, APA-ADA Assembly Specialist and APA-ADA Transient Lodging Specialist Designations, when all criteria are met.  


  APA

 9433 Bee Cave Road 
 Building II, Suite 203 
 Austin, TX 78733 
 UNITED STATES


Accessibility Professionals Association (APA) is a group of Professionals dedicated to accessibility in all aspects of the physical experience for persons with disabilities in the built envirorment.

APA News




  

 
 
ADA Articles

  • Universal Design Reduces Social Isolation - Full Article by Natalie Crawford

 

Why Hire an Accessibility Professional?

Complying with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and state-specific building accessibility codes and requirements can be a complex and challenging process. An APA professional can help you smoothly navigate through every phase of your new or remodel project to achieve accessibility and avoid any costly headaches arising from noncompliance. Whether it’s a public building or privately owned structure leased or occupied by government agencies, a place of public accommodation, or a commercial facility, an APA member can help with accessibility planning and compliance. 

Search our Hire a Professional page for APA specialists. 
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APA Continuing Education & Training

APA offers related education on a regular basis during the year - which is open to members and the public.  We offer credits* for AIA, ICC, TDLR, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), ACTCP and more.  APA 2020 Annual Report

Save the Date!
April 23, 2021 Training: Gain your CE/LU credits during this virtual training. Half-day and full-day options are available.
2022 Annual National Conference: The next APA National Conference & Expo, featuring nationally known experts, will be January 2022. To see the types of courses offered, you can see our 2021 APA Virtual National Conference Program.


THANK YOU to our 2021 APA National Conference & Expo Platinum Sponsors!

2021 APA National Conference Platinum Sponsors

For Exhibitor/Sponsor Guidelines for the 2022 National Conference & Expo please contact Camille North.

Member Spotlight

Matthew Lescher

Matt Lescher joined CCI in 2007 and has provided accessibility, code and accessible means of egress consultation for the built environment for the Fair Housing Act (FHA), American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state and local Building Code related concerns. His experience includes consultation services for numerous projects including hospitality, residential, retail, mixed-use, covered malls, lifestyle centers, corporate campuses, educational facilities, high-rise office, cultural, health care, large assembly and sports venues. As Director of Accessibility Services for CCI, Mr. Lescher is responsible for all facets of project management, client relations, contract administration, and quality control.

Matt has consulted under Federal, State and Local requirements, including: NYC Building Code (2008 and 2014); 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design; American Barriers Act Accessibility Standards; Fair Housing Act (10 safe harbor documents); ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities; Rehabilitation Act of 1973; International Building Code; California Building Code Chapter 11A & 11B; Illinois Accessibility Code; North Carolina Accessibility Code; Ohio Building Code, 521 CMR, Barrier Free Subcode; and Texas Accessibility Code.

Matt has been a member of the International Code Council for many years and he serves as Alternate on the ICC/ANSI A1171.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Committee – Representing National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO). As an active member of the Accessibility Professional Association (APA), Matt serves as a Committee Member on the APA Technical Standards Committee. In addition, Matt is a member of Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI).  Matt is certified as an International Code Council (ICC) Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner.(top)


Notice to all APA Members!

The Member Directory has a whole new search tool! This is an exciting new Member Benefit for you. This tool allows you and anyone wishing to Hire an Accessibility Professional to search many new fields.

BUT - you must update your Member Profile to provide an accurate description of your services.  Go to the arrow beside your logged in name in the upper right hand corner of the APA webpage and click on "Profile."  Look for the heading marked "Website," click on" Interests," and check all the items that apply to your services.  Then do a few sample searches in the Membership Directory.

Additionally, we have a new feature called Member Spotlight (see above). Members will be randomly selected, however, in order to be featured you must have a photo and  approximately 200 word biography in your profile.


Why Join APA? - One Member's Voice

My name is Charles Watt and I have been a member of the Accessibility Professionals Association for only one year. Unlike the majority of APA members I am not a RAS or an architect, nor do I reside in Texas. I am the ADA Coordinator for the Oklahoma Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, a vocational rehabilitation agency whose purpose is to assist individuals with disabilities to prepare for, find, and maintain employment opportunities. So why did I join the APA and how have I found it helpful to me in my duties as an ADA Coordinator?

The Dept. of Justice regulations implementing the ADA state "A public entity that employs 50 or more persons shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities" under the ADA. This designated employee must also conduct an "investigation of any complaint communicated ... alleging its noncompliance" with the ADA. This person is most commonly referred to as an ADA Coordinator but other job titles are also used.

It is fairly easy to see, from the "job description" given by the DOJ, why an ADA Coordinator must be knowledgeable about as many aspects of the ADA as is possible. Certainly, complaints might arise due to the inaccessibility of the built environment but the necessity of being able to proactively alert an organization to existing accessibility barriers is also essential.

The education I have received as a result of attending regional trainings and the APA Annual Conference have been invaluable to me as I try to determine whether or not various elements in a building or building site are in compliance with the ADA Standards. In addition, the opportunity to create a network of knowledgeable peers and to ask questions in the online Member's Forum is also extremely helpful.

The ability to proudly display the APA logo and to receive various specialty designations like ADA Specialist, Transient Lodging Specialist, etc. gives an imprimatur of professionalism and expertise available nowhere else.

I wholeheartedly recommend membership in the Accessibility Professionals Association to all my fellow ADA Coordinators. I've met people who I know can and will help me if I need it and have received the finest training and education on the intricacies of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design which is available.

By Charles Watt, ADA Coordinator and APA Member
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