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APA news & updates

September 2025 | Issue 52

In this issue ...

  • A note from your 2025 APA President
  • 2026 APA National Conference update
  • APAC-BE update
  • APA & TXC Meet with TDLR
  • "Unlawful disclosure is a separate private right of action under both the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA and other stuff," by William Goren
  • The Access Coalition by Charles Watt
  • Upcoming APA Events
  • APA Forums

  • And more!

A note from your 2025 APA President

Well, it had to happen…. Autumn is almost upon us.

Back to school.

New TV series begin (well, a lot of them anyway).

And a new Fall Webinar from the APA with great presenters.

READ MORE>>

Registration for the 2026 APA National Conference opens in November!

Join us from January 21-23, 2026, for an incredible lineup of speakers and events. The APA Education and Events Committee has been working hard to create a dynamic conference, and we're excited to welcome keynote speaker, Karen Braitmayer.

Check out the conference page on our website to see the complete list of speakers and sessions.

Conference Exhibitors and Sponsors

Exibitors

We are now accepting applications for exhibitors and sponsors.

Visit APAaccess.org/Exhibitor-Information and find out more

Congratulations, Summer 2025 APAC-BE Certificants!


  • Mark Derry
  • Christine Guest
  • Regina Huaracha
  • Wes Remaklus
  • Christine Scully

They are the latest to earn the APA Certification Built Environment (APAC-BE), the only national certification for accessibility professionals in the built environment.


Visit APACexam.org to learn more about the APAC-BE program and see all the certificants.

Meghan has short, wavy, blond hair and is wearing a teal button-up shirt

APA & TXC Meet with TDLR: Key Requests for Process Improvements


APA leadership and the Texas Chapter recently met with TDLR to discuss ways to improve efficiency and clarity in the Architectural Barriers Program.


READ MORE>>

Meghan has short, wavy, blond hair and is wearing a teal button-up shirt

The Access Coalition

by Charles Watt


Recently, I was made aware of a joint effort, known as The Access Coalition: Creating More Inclusive Retail Spaces. It brings together the American Association of People with Disabilities, Starbucks, CVS Pharmacies, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Otis Elevator, and others to take the lead in advancing the Inclusive Spaces Framework, which was originally authored by Starbucks to better serve consumers with disabilities.


READ MORE>>

Upcoming APA events


2025 APA Fall Webinar

Date: Monday, September 8, 2025

Time: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm CT

Up to 8 hours of CE/LU. Full and half-day options available. Register here.


APA Rocky Mountain Chapter Roundtable and Member Meeting: How to identify scoping of applicable codes/standards in affordable housing

Date: Friday, September 19, 2025

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm CT

Free roundtable for Rocky Mountain Chapter members. No CE/LU credits for attendance. Register here.


APA Texas Chapter Member Meeting and Texas Tech Talk Lightning Round

Date: Monday, September 29, 2025

Time: noon - 1:00 pm CT

Free event for Texas Chapter members. No CE/LU credits for attendance. Dive into current RAS topics in small-group breakout sessions and reconvene as a larger group to share insights and explore the findings together. Don’t miss this chance to learn, collaborate, and contribute! Register here.


APA Rocky Mountain Chapter webinar - "ADA Requirements and Exceptions for Existing Facilities"

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Time: noon - 2:00 pm CT

Presenter: James Terry

Registration open to everyone; members receive a members-only discount. Register here.


Texas Accessibility Academy (Zoom webinar)

hosted by APA Texas Chapter

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and Thursday, October 30, 2025

Time: 8 am - 5 pm CT each day

Presenter: Marsha Godeaux and Jonathan Sparks

Registration open to everyone; members receive a members-only discount. Register here.


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.

Call for Presentations: 2027 APA National Conference

APA is now accepting presentation proposals for our 2027 National Conference, to be held from January 20-22, 2027.

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 our EducationDirector@APAaccess.org.

The APA Forums need you!

APA members, do you have an answer to this question?

“We recently came across a window design in the common area of an apartment building with the lower part of the window within reach range and the cam locks at the top of the operable section was at 56 inches AFF. So operable parts is an issue..."

To help this member in need, log into your Member Hub and head to the"Apartment Buildings" section of the APA Forums.

Not sure how to use the new APA Forums, check out the instructions here.

Welcome our new members!

Click on the member's name to view their profile in our Member Directory. Not all members have public profiles.

Melissa Brensing, CO

Charle Gieck, CO

Christine Guest, IL

Nathan Martin, CO

Richard Sternadori, NM

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.

APA 2024 Annual Report

Members can view our

2024 Annual Report here

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.

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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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