APA News & Updates September 2026 | Issue 56 |
- Announcing the 2027 APA National Conference Speakers
- APAC-BE Exam Earns NCCA Accreditation
- Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Raffle: Help Fund the Future of Accessibility
- Excellence in Accessible Design Education: Recent Updates and How You Can Help
- "Is the Right of a Person with a Disability to Serve on a Jury Just Theoretical or is it Real?" by William Goren
- APA Committee Spotlight
- APA Member News
- Help Keep APA’s Costs in Check
- Upcoming APA Events
- Upcoming APA Elections
And More!
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Discounted rooms ($169/night) are available in our group block at the Estancia del Norte. Accessible rooms and block spaces historically sell out very quickly. We strongly encourage reserving your room now before the block fills up or closes on December 25, 2026. Book directly on the Hotel & Travel Page. Attendee registration will open in November. Bookmark APAaccess.org/APA-National-Conference and check back often for details as they are added. Angela Shapiro & Gene Boecker 2026 APA Education & Events Committee Co-Chairs |
Conference Exhibitors & Sponsors |
Partner with us in San Antonio! We are currently seeking exhibitors and sponsors who are dedicated to advancing the field of accessibility. Email info@APAaccess.org for more information. |
APAC Updates APAC-BE Exam Earns NCCA Accreditation The APAC Program is excited to announce that the APAC-BE exam has been awarded the prestigious NCCA accreditation! The APAC-BE credential is now the only national third-party validated certification for accessibility professionals working in the built environment. Read more here. Congratulations to our newest APAC-BEs! Please join us in congratulating Noelle Piontek and Nicholas Stone on earning their APAC-BE certification! |
Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Raffle: Help Fund the Future of Accessibility |
by Meghan Simecek, 2026 APA Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Chair Each year at APA’s National Conference, the Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Committee raises funds for the Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship, helping students enter and grow within the accessibility field. We Need Raffle Items: To make the 2027 raffle a success, we are asking members and businesses to donate items. Whether it is equipment, electronics, event tickets, or gift cards, every contribution helps us award more student scholarships. If you have an item to donate, email FrancesEllington@APAaccess.org. |
Do you know a college or university student dedicated to accessibility in the built environment? Let them know that the 2027 JBM Scholarship application is open. Find out more here |
Excellence in Accessible Design Education: Recent Updates and How You Can Help by Minda Weldon, APA Executive Director Excellence in Accessible Design Education (EADE) is APA’s effort to elevate academic and professional education by integrating essential accessible design principles and their associated codes and standards into the curricula of professional design programs. EADE proposes enhanced learning outcomes and competencies within architecture and interior design curricula to ensure graduates are prepared to create fully accessible environments, fulfilling the profession’s moral and regulatory commitment to serve all people with equality, dignity, and respect. READ MORE>> |
Update from the US Access Board
At the request of Josh Schorr, Technical Assistance Coordinator at the U.S. Access Board, APA is sharing important guidance regarding interpretation of the ADA Table 224.2 about roll-in showers in transient lodging facilities:
In transient lodging facilities, can roll-in showers be provided in those accessible guest rooms not required to have them? READ MORE>> |
Committee Spotlight: Education & EventsBehind every APA learning experience is a team of dedicated volunteers. The Education & Events Committee is the group driving our professional development programs. The committee works year-round to build practical, high-impact sessions for our annual National Conference, organize regular continuing education webinars, and support the APA chapters with their regional training events. Serving on a committee is a great way to expand your network and help shape APA education. If you want to get involved but cannot commit to a committee, we also need volunteers to help moderate sessions at the upcoming 2027 APA National Conference. To join the committee or sign up to moderate a session, email info@APAaccess.org. |
APA Member NewsAPA remembers George "Dusty" Grimes, who passed away on April 5, 2026. A Texas RAS and a team member at theACCESSpartnership for more than 25 years, George was an early leader in the field who helped establish the professional practices we use today. We are grateful for his many years of service to APA and the accessibility profession. APA congratulates member William Goren for receiving the 2026 Hon. Sarah T. Hughes Civil Rights Award from the Federal Bar Association. The award recognizes individuals dedicated to advancing and protecting civil rights. Thank you, William, for your continuous work supporting disability rights and accessibility across the nation. Have member news to share? If you or another APA member you know has recently changed roles, earned a new credential, won an industry award, or celebrated a major career milestone, let us know. Please fill out this form, and you might see your news in our next newsletter. |
From the APA Treasurer: Help Keep APA’s Costs in CheckEvery dollar we save on administrative overhead goes right back into serving our members and expanding our programs. Payment processing fees are one of our fastest-growing operational expenses, but we can significantly reduce these costs together. When paying your dues and event registrations, please consider using ACH (US bank account) or a debit card (Card) at checkout. Because credit card processing fees are substantially higher, switching to these lower-cost payment methods ensures that more of your investment stays right here to support our mission. Thank you for helping us be responsible stewards of our APA's resources! |
Upcoming APA events Don't miss out on future APA events! Be sure to bookmark the APA calendar for all upcoming dates and details. - APA Texas Chapter Member Meeting
- Monday, September 14, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
- Topics: Open forum discussion on three topics relevant to Texas RASs
- Free event for APA Texas Chapter members; registration required
- APA Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Interest Group Open Forum
- Friday, September 18, 2026, 9:30 AM CT
- Topic: Dwelling unit requirements in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states
- Free event for APA members; registration required
- APA Rocky Mountain Chapter Member Meeting
- Friday, September 18, 2026, 12:30 PM CT
- Topic: How local human rights laws incorporate accessibility and building codes into lawsuits
- Special Guests: David Berman, Legal Director, Fair Housing Justice Center, and Diane Houk, Partner, ECBAWM
- Free event for Rocky Mountain Chapter members; registration required
- 2026 APA Fall Webinar
- Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 8:00 - 5:15 AM CT
- Up to 8 hours of CE/LUs available; Half-day or full-day registration options available
- Presenters include Bill Botten, Kimberly Paarlberg, Jim Safranek, Josh Schorr, and Jennifer Skulski
- Registration is open to everyone; APA members receive a discount; find out more and register here
- APA Rocky Mountain Chapter Webinar - "Accessibility in Healthcare: Issues that Require a Deeper Understanding
- Friday, October 16, 2026, 12:30 - 1:30 PM CT
- Presented by Bill Zellmer
- Registration is open to everyone; APA and Rocky Mountain Chapter members receive a discount; find out more and register here
- Texas Accessibility Academy
- Tuesday, October 20 & Thursday, October 22, 2026, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CT (both days)
- Presented by Marsha Godeaux, Jonathan Sparks, and Jamie Hill from TDLR
- Registration opens in early September
- APA Technical Standards Open Forum
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
- Topics: Accessible routes coinciding with the general circulation path, allowed overlap at clear floor spaces, and faucet controls and blocking in residential units
- Free event for APA members; registration required
Not a member yet? Join today to unlock access to upcoming members-only events, discounts on CE opportunities, and member resources! |
Upcoming APAC Events - APAC Information Session
- Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT
- Details: Join us for a live, one-hour Q&A session. Bring your questions and learn everything you need to know about preparing for the APAC-BE exam.
- Register for free here
- APAC Academy
- Dates: Tuesday, November 3 & Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 4:15 PM CT (both days)
- Speakers:
- Sabrina Blackman, theACCESSpartnership
- David Ercalano, Capital One
- Luisa Janssen Harger Brown, CCI
- Angela Shapiro, theACCESSpartnership
- Registration opens in early September
To learn more about the APAC program, visit APACExam.org |
Upcoming APA Elections: Help Guide Our Community APA leadership elections are coming up for national and chapter positions. Serving on the board or chapter leadership team is a great way to share your expertise, guide our association, and support colleagues across the accessibility profession. The nomination cycle opens November 1. If you are interested in running, nominating a colleague, or learning more about what these roles involve, feel free to reach out to us at info@APAaccess.org or connect directly with a current leader through our Board of Directors page, the Rocky Mountain Chapter page, or the Texas Chapter page. |
Keep Your APA Member Profile Updated: Be Found in the Hire a Professional Directory APA frequently receives inquiries from individuals looking for qualified accessibility professionals. Make sure potential clients and collaborators can find you when they need your expertise! Please take a few minutes to log in to your Member Hub and review your profile. Check that your contact information, credentials, service areas, and specialties are accurate and up to date. Keeping your profile up to date also makes you eligible for APA’s Monthly Member Spotlight on our homepage and social media channels. To be considered, your profile must include both a headshot and a short written bio. If you have questions or need help updating your listing, contact us at info@apaaccess.org. |
New: APA Student Memberships Now Available We are excited to introduce a discounted membership option for students. If you are currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program full-time or part-time, you can join APA at a reduced rate for up to four years. Student membership is a great way to access industry education, connect with working accessibility professionals, and start building your career network early. To learn more, please email info@apaaccess.org. |
Get Your Group Membership Discount! Does your business have five or more APA members? Request a group membership and receive a $20 per member discount on annual dues. If you don't have five members yet, convince a colleague to join! |
Participate in Disability Night Out APA Members are encouraged to participate in the Disability Night Out. Invite your friends and family members with a disability to join you. Disability Night Out is a national day of collective presence aimed at combating inaccessibility in public spaces and restaurants. The next annual event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026. To learn more, visit the Disability Night Out webpage |
Welcome our new members! Click on the member's name to view their profile in our Member Directory. Not all members have public profiles. Cassandra Marie Bell, TXAdam Berger, NYJoshua Johnson, DEAlexis Liggett, AZDakota Limon, COStephen Mann, CARex Pace Noelle Piontek, NYSavannah Pryor, TXJosh Safdie, MAMatthew Skarzenski, TXRandy Sorensen, MNSarah St Louis, MNHolly Sumruld, TXJoshua Trainor, COAlejandra Warner, CAJimmy Zuehl Jr., NY |
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. |
2026 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. |
2026 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. |
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. |
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 Approved 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 Certification (ADACC). 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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