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.
This is also the time we start to reflect on the past year and what we’ve accomplished and what we are looking forward to in the year to come. And there is much to reflect upon for the APA. For one, we have a new logo. One that has colors that are accessible and is unique to our organization.
We also have a new website and a new domain name, APAaccess.org. We are using a new association management system, GrowthZone. The member hub is fantastic, and the forums are very helpful. If you haven’t updated your bio yet, be sure to do that. There’s a lot more information we can include than what we had previously.
APA expanded its reach as well this past year. We’ve sent letters of opinion to several government agencies, expressing the APA’s position on issues related to accessibility in the built environment. We also began actively participating in the standards development of the ANSI A117.1. APA is a voting member of the committee. And, APA has submitted code change language that will hopefully result in better accessibility for hotels and apartment-types of facilities.
Our training is top-notch and brings together the finest accessibility minds in the country. This includes the National Conference as well as the virtual training we provide. And it just keeps getting better. Our committees are active but always eager to add more people.
Just you wait to hear ALL the accomplishments in our annual report (provided at the conference)! I’ll see you there!
Presidential Footnote
In keeping with the thoughts of my earlier musings, I’d like to say a few more things about this past year and about looking forward. My term as president has been a quick one. This year seems to have flown by. But, during that time I’ve had the good fortune of conversing with many of you, greeting new friends and strengthening old friendships. I say it often, “APA is here for our members.” It’s true. It may be in technical support, logistical support or even a job referral. But I am most impressed by the comradery and professionalism of our members.
As I begin the steps of passing the baton to Walter for his upcoming year, I’m also reflecting on the support I’ve received from other members of APA. And of course, we need to remember the support we get from our marvelous staff, without whom we’d all be struggling more and getting less accomplished. They are the oil that keeps the machine running.
Oh, I’m not disappearing either. I’ll be stepping down as president but picking up new tasks in the new year. I hope you’ll join me.
Gene Boecker, 2025 APA President
December 2025