APA news & updates December 2025 | Issue 53 |
- A note from your outgoing 2025 APA President
- A note from your incoming 2026 APA President
- 2026 APA National Conference registration is now open
- APAC-BE exam registration is now open
- 2025 APA elections
- 2026 JBMS fundraiser
- APA Texas Chapter update
- "In architectural barrier litigation, plaintiff’s motivation doesn’t matter if plaintiff has transacted business," by William Goren
- "OPINION: Accessibility at a crossroads – navigating the regulatory maze of accessible EV charging stations," by Sabrina Blackman, RA, CASp, APAC-BE
- Upcoming APA events
And more!
Not seeing all the articles? Your newsletter may have been clipped. Click on "View entire message" at the bottom of this email. |
A note from your outgoing 2025 APA President For most of us, this is the time of year when things get rather hectic. There are way too many holidays and not enough time to enjoy them all. Daylight is getting shorter and it seems that the amount of time in each one is getting shorter as well. READ MORE>> |
A note from your incoming 2026 APA President As we enter a new year, this is an opportunity to welcome the members of the Accessibility Professional Association (APA), now over 300 strong. As the association surpasses 300 members, it is important that we recognize that together we are stronger, thus our annual theme of “Stronger Together." READ MORE>> |
Registration is OPEN for the 2026 APA National Conference! Join us for the premier event of the year! Registration for the 2026 APA National Conference is officially open, and it's time to secure your spot. - Early Bird Rate ends December 21, 2025
- Online registration closes January 18, 2026
- APA members receive a $325 discount on registration!
Conference registration is open to everyone, but be sure to take advantage of the Early Bird savings and the deep discount available exclusively to APA members! We have secured a special conference rate at the Austin Marriott North for attendees. Special Rate: $145 per night Rate Deadline: This exclusive rate is available until January 6, 2026, or until the block is sold out.
Booking within our official block ensures you receive our discounted rate and helps the APA meet its room commitment, which keeps overall conference costs low. Our room block historically sells out fast! Check out the conference page on our website to see the complete list of speakers and sessions. |
Conference Exhibitors and Sponsors |
Registration is OPEN for the APAC-BE exam at the conference! Register for the APAC-BE exam at the conference & save! Don't miss your chance to take the APAC-BE exam at the conference! Register now for the paper-and-pencil exam and save $25 on the registration fee. Plus, refer a friend: if they register, you'll get a special shout-out on our social media! The final deadline to apply is January 5th at 11:59 PM. APAC Academy success! A huge thank you to Geoff Ames and Charlie Watt for their efforts in making our inaugural APAC Academy a resounding success! If you missed out, don't worry. We will be holding another one in the spring of 2026. Visit APACexam.org to learn more about the APAC program. |
The 2026 APA elections are underway!Make your voice heard and participate in the 2026 APA Leadership Elections! The polls are open from December 1st through December 15th to elect the next leaders for: Links to cast your ballot have been sent directly to all eligible members. For more information and to view the candidate profiles, please click here. Your vote is crucial in shaping the future of our profession and chapters! |
2026 APA DuesThe 2026 APA membership dues will be $295. This adjustment helps the association continue to expand and deliver essential resources, advocacy, and services to our members. We thank you for your continued commitment and look forward to another year of advancing the profession together. |
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APA Texas Chapter update: TDLR, LLO/OAD forms, and our next steps by Meghan Simecek, 2025 APA Texas Chapter President Over the past several months, the APA Texas Chapter has been actively engaging with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regarding major changes to ownership verification requirements, the rollout of new forms, and the growing administrative burden on Registered Accessibility Specialists (RASs). This update is to let you know what has happened, what we’ve done about it, and what comes next. READ MORE>> |
OPINION: Accessibility at a Crossroads – Navigating the Regulatory Maze of Accessible EV Charging Stationsby Sabrina Blackman Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for decades, but the global introduction of the Toyota Prius in 2000 catalyzed mainstream interest in hybrids and set a precedent for electrified vehicles. As new technologies emerge and reshape the built environment, it is essential to ensure they are accessible to everyone. READ MORE>> |
Upcoming APA events 2026 APA National Conference Date: Wednesday - Friday, January 21 - 23, 2026 Find out more and register here. APA Technical Standards Open Forum Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT Free, exclusive forum for APA members. No CE/LU credits for attendance. See the topics and find out more here. Texas Accessibility Academy (Zoom webinar) hosted by APA Texas Chapter Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 and March 12, 2026 Time: 8 am - 5 pm CT each day Presenter: Marsha Godeaux and Jonathan Sparks Registration will open in late January and will be open to everyone; APA members will receive a discount. Never miss an APA event!Don't miss out on future APA events! Be sure to bookmark the APA calendar for all upcoming dates and details. |
Listen up! New Assistive Listening Links Did you know APA has a page of links and resources? Everything from National Accessibility codes to state and local requirements. We add new links to this list and are open to your suggestions! A few new links have been added for assistive listening, check out the page here! What helpful links are we missing? Let us know by emailing CommunicationsDirector@APAaccess.org. |
Call for Presentations: 2027 APA National ConferenceAPA is now accepting presentation proposals for our 2027 National Conference, to be held from January 20 - 22, 2027 in San Antonio, TX. With the 2026 conference topics already finalized, this is your opportunity to contribute to the 2027 event. We are seeking dynamic speakers to share their expertise on all aspects of accessibility in the built environment. This is your chance to join a vibrant community of professionals and help shape the future of accessibility and inclusive design. To submit a proposal, complete this form. Questions? For any questions regarding the submission process or conference topics, please email EducationDirector@APAaccess.org. |
Welcome our new members! Click on the member's name to view their profile in our Member Directory. Not all members have public profiles. Alejandro Arreguin, TXAmanda Garrigan, TXAndrew Besalke, ILArturo Valdez, TXCaylee Butler, MAMichael StinefeltOmar Munoz, TXRobert Saenz, TXSabrina Parras, TXSavannah Brady, TXShawn Saladin, TXTammy Gray, TXVitaly Mazz |
APA chapters All members can join a "Home Chapter" at no extra cost. For more information or to designate your Home Chapter, please email MembershipDirector@APAaccess.org. |
2025 APA Board of Directors Members may see Board minutes in the Member Hub. |
Are you in need of an accessibility specialist? Looking for a specialist to help with planning your building designs or making inspections? If so, we have the expertise you need right on our website! Check our Hire a Professional page and search our complete directory by expertise, name, or location. |
We need you! APA is seeking professionals who are interested in promoting accessibility nationwide. We would love to have you join one of the APA committees. For more information, contact MembershipDirector@APAaccess.org. |
2025 Chapter/Committee/APAC leaders Minutes from past committee meetings are available to APA members in their Member Hub. |
Advertise with APA! If you or a company you know of would benefit from reaching other accessibility professionals, consider advertising on our website or in our newsletter. Contact APA for details. |
Call for job openings! Let APA work for you! Find qualified applicants by posting your job to our Jobs Board. |
Do you have ADA, FHA, TAS, or other technical questions? It's easy to get answers via the APA members-only Forums found in your Member Hub. |
Explore new career opportunities!Don't forget to check the members-only job board in your Member Hub regularly. |
Learn more about Accessibility Professionals Association - APA |
Continuing Education: APA is a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA/CES Provider #G583), the APA Certification Program (APAC Preferred Provider #101), the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR Provider #0007855 / License #PVD312), and the International Code Council (ICC Preferred Provider #1321), and it offers pre-verified credits for the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP). Numerous organizations, including the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, accept APA training for CE requirements; attendees are responsible for confirming course requirements for their licenses and certifications. |
The APA Newsletter is provided to share general accessibility information and other resources that may be of interest to our members and constituents. While the APA Newsletter is published by the Accessibility Professionals Association, it is not intended to draw legal conclusions, nor does it substitute for the advice of an attorney. The APA Newsletter does not speak for and does not represent the U.S. Department of Justice's interpretation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) interpretation of the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS). Additionally, we provide space for advertisers, but we do not claim any knowledge of or approval of advertisers' products or services. If you have any articles for our next newsletter, please submit your articles to CommunicationsDirector@APAaccess.org. |
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