APA news & updates March 2026 | Issue 54 |
- A Note from Your 2026 APA President
- 2026 APA National Conference Recap
- APAC-BE Updates
- 2026 APA Elections Results
- 2025 APA President's Award
- 2026 JBMS Raffle Update
- APA Texas Chapter Update
- "Motion to Dismiss Denial of a Service Animal Goes Down in Flames," by William Goren
- APA Group Discounts
- 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 2026 APA President As we wrap up another successful conference, I want to personally thank the Education and Events Committee (Angela Shapiro – Chair), the JBMS Committee (Meghan Simecek – Chair), our ever-diligent staff, the Keynote Speaker, Karen L. Braitmayer, for “Accessibility as an Act of Empowermen," all those who presented, and our vendors. Without their commitment and participation, the conference could not have happened nor been as successful. READ MORE>> |
2026 APA National Conference RecapThe 2026 APA National Conference was truly a time for “Growing Stronger Together.” An event of this magnitude succeeds only through collective effort. We extend our deepest gratitude to: - Our Keynote Speaker: Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA, for her powerful address, "Accessibility as an Act of Empowerment," reminding us all that our work is about much more than codes.
- APA Leadership: The APA Board, Committee Chairs, and the Education & Events Committee led by Angela Shapiro, APAC-BE, ADAC, for their year-round vision.
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- Our Speakers, Panelists, & Moderators: Thank you for sharing your expertise and keeping our sessions focused and productive.
- Our Sponsors & Exhibitors: We are grateful for your support and the resources you bring to our members. A special thanks to Ascension Wheelchair Lifts for ensuring our stage was accessible.
- The Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship: To the Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Committee and our raffle donors for investing in the future of our profession.
- Our Hosts: The Austin Marriott North for their gracious hospitality.
- 4ATX Foundation: Thank you for the tour of Q2 Stadium, highlighting its accessibility features and providing a firsthand look at large-scale venue compliance.
Enjoy the snapshots below! You can find our complete 2026 conference photo album here. |
Part of the tour group inside the locker group at Q2 Stadium |
Kaylan, Angela, Josh, Marsha, Kim, Nanette, and Bill gathered around the Access Board's exhibitor table |
Karen giving her keynote address |
Joshua, Kori, Marsha, and Karen before the Lived Experiences Panel |
A Huge Thank You to our Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors |
Spring APAC Academy Registration is Open! If you’re planning to take the APAC-BE exam, these courses might be for you! Tuesday, March 24:
Incorporating Access: Conflicts, Tolerances, Critical Dimensions, and Limited Exceptions, by Mark Hulme Applicable Standards for State and Federal Public Funding of Affordable Housing, by Joshua Klyber Thursday, March 26:
FHA at Units: Basic Requirements and Common Issues, by Jim Safranek |
2026 APA Election Results: Shaping the Future of APAA Big Thank You to Our Voters Thank you to everyone who took the time to cast a ballot in the 2026 APA Elections! By helping select our leadership, you ensure that the voice of the accessibility professional remains at the heart of everything we do. |
Honoring Our Outgoing LeadershipBefore we look ahead, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the 2025 APA Board of Directors. Their dedication over the past year has strengthened our community. Please join us in thanking them for their tireless service. |
Pictured above from left to right: Gene Boecker, Randy Wallace, Jon Mueller, Tom Ellis, Walter Qualls, Mark Mazz, Charles Watt (Past President) Not pictured: Sabrina Blackman and Sandra Miles |
Welcoming the 2026 APA Board of DirectorsWe are thrilled to officially introduce the leaders who will guide us through the coming year. |
We are excited to see the vision and expertise this group brings to the table. Pictured above from left to right: Gene Boecker (Past President), Matt Lescher, Walter Qualls, Mark Mazz, Jon Mueller, Angela Shapiro, and Randy Wallace Not pictured: Sabrina Blackman |
2025 APA President’s Award We are thrilled to present the 2025 APA President’s Award to Meghan Simecek of the Texas Accessibility Group. Meghan’s leadership throughout 2025 was nothing short of exceptional. Serving as the APA Texas Chapter President and Chair of the Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Committee, she demonstrated a tireless commitment to our mission. Her dedicated advocacy in dialogues with TDLR on RAS obligations was invaluable. In addition to her professional practice, Meghan continues to inspire the next generation as an Interior Design educator at Houston Community College. Please join us in celebrating Meghan’s outstanding dedication, expertise, and leadership! |
2025 APA President, Gene Boecker hands the framed award to Meghan. |
Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Raffle UpdateThe Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarshi Committee is thrilled to announce that this year’s raffle fundraiser raised over $3,400. The energy was high during the happy hour as the winners were announced; there’s nothing quite like the sound of a room full of people cheering for a good cause (and some great prizes!). A huge thank you to everyone who bought a ticket to support the next generation of accessibility professionals. |
Kara-Lee, Jimmy, Meghan, Stacey, and Jon in front of the raffle table |
APA Texas Chapter Update by Corey Credeur, 2026 APA Texas Chapter President 2025 was a busy year for the APA Texas Chapter (APA TXC). As Meghan noted in the last APA newsletter, we have 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). READ MORE>> |
APA Member ForumsDoes a single step require a handrail? When is a guardrail required? If you have a question (or can help answer one), log into your APA Member Hub and select "Forum" from the menu in the left sidebar. Ask for help, share your expertise, and help us grow our community! |
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Announcing the Tech Standards Committee White Paper Task Force Ever wish you had access to documents that contained all the answers to your accessibility questions? Us too. Join us at the Tech Standards Committee White Paper Task Force inaugural meeting on April 7 at 11am Central Time. Interested parties, sign up here for an exclusive invitation available to APA Members. |
Northeast Chapter Interest GroupAre you looking to meet APA colleagues in the Northeast? Join the Northeast Chapter Interest Group inaugural meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 11 - noon CT on Zoom The not-for-credit event is free to APA members but registration is required. |
Upcoming APA events Don't miss out on future APA events! Be sure to bookmark the APA calendar for all upcoming dates and details. br>Texas Accessibility Academy (Zoom webinar) Presenter: Marsha Godeaux, Jamie Hill, and Jonathan Sparks Hosted by APA Texas Chapter Dates: Tuesday & Thursday, March 10 & 12, 2026 Registration open to all; APA Members and Texas Chapter Members receive discounts. Find out more and register here. APAC Academy Hosted by APAC Date: Tuesday & Thursday, March 24 & 26, 2026 Registration open to all; discount available if you register for both days. Find out more and register APACexam.org. Accessibility Requirements for Multi-Family Residential Projects (Working Title) Presented by Dominic Marinelli Hosted by APA Rocky Mountain Chapter Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Time: 12:30 - 2:30 CT Registration opening soon. More details will be available here. Registration will be open to all, but APA Members and Rocky Mountain Chapter Members will receive discounts. 2026 APA Spring Webinar Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Time: 12:00 - 4:15 pm CT Registration opening soon. More details will be available here . Registration will be open to all, but APA Members will receive a discount. |
Many Thanks to the Hosts of Our February APAC Info Session!
Sabrina Blackman, APA Board of Directors, theACCESSpartnership &
Rob Judd, APAC Board of Directors, Jensen Hughes
Did you miss it? Join us for our next Q&A on May 7, 2026, 1 pm CT. Find out more at APACexam.org.
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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! |
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. The conference theme is "The Wonders of Acessibility." 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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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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