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Home2025 APA National Conference Schedule

Moving into the Future

2025 APA National Conference

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - Friday, January 31, 2025

The schedule is subject to change.  All times listed are Central Time.

* These courses may be of interest to Registered Accessibility Specialists. Effective September 1, 2023, all continuing education (CE) credits required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for the RAS license must be self-reported by licensees. Licensees are responsible for tracking and reporting their own CE credit to TDLR in accordance with the department's requirements. For information on CE credit requirements, including the types of courses that qualify, the number of hours required, and how to report credit, please visit the TDLR website at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ab/.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Time

Activity/Course

Description

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.


Optional Offsite Activity

*extra fees and separate registration required

Participants will meet in the hotel lobby and leave by 8:15 AM. Individuals will carpool from the hotel. Registration for this optional tour will close in early January.

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Registration Check-In
Exhibitors available in the lobby

Check in at the registration desk in the hotel lobby to pick up your badge and conference packet.

12:15 - 12:30 p.m.

Opening Welcome

Charlie Watt, 2024 APA President



12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Keynote
Gaps in the Yellow Brick Road: I’ve Been Removing Barriers for Fifty Years; Why are There So Many Left?*

course numbers pending

presented by John Wodatch, Former, Chief Disability Rights Section
Civil Rights Division United States Department of Justice


In this session, John Wodatch will discuss his role as a Federal civil rights lawyer writing regulations and enforcing laws that require accessibility of the built world, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  

The focus will be on the responsibilities of architects, design professionals, and other accessibility professionals as they follow and understand the interplay of State, local, and national building code requirements and the requirements of Federal disability rights laws.

1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Networking break/activity
Exhibitors available in the lobby

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

ADA Q&A: Deep Dive with the Experts

1.5 HR CE, APAC-BE #pending, ACTCP 1.5 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 311 1.5 LU|HSW, ICC #43154 .15 CEU

panel with Marsha Mazz, Mark Mazz, Sarah Presley, James Terry, and John Wodatch

This session will offer attendees the opportunity to ask ADA experts their pressing questions, gaining insights into ADA requirements, application guidelines, and strategies for preventing common compliance errors.

3:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Break
Exhibitors available in the lobby

3:45 - 5:15 p.m.

NEC® and ICC A117.1: Updates to Kitchen Receptacle Requirements for People with Disabilities
1.5 HR CE, APAC-BE #pending, ACTCP 1.5 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 316 1.5 LU|HSW, ICC #43169 .15 CEU


presented by Gene Boecker, Dan Buuck, Jessica Hubert, and Joseph Wages

The 2023 edition of the NEC prohibits receptacles below kitchen countertops and does not provide an exception for people with disabilities. This creates challenges for designers, installers, and occupants of accessible dwellings. The changes in the NEC made it necessary for the A117.1 Committee to modify its design requirements for people with physical disabilities. This session will cover changes to the last several editions of both the NEC and A117.1 regarding kitchen receptacles, exploring how we arrived at the current provisions and providing you with a heads up on the coming updates. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Time

Activity/Course

Description

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast
Exhibitors available in the lobby

 

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

New Member Breakfast

 

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Breakout Session #1 - Choose 1 course to attend

 


Behind the Scenes with TDLR *
APAC-BE pending, AIA/CES #APA 313 1 LU, ICC #43157 .10 CEU


presented by Marsha Godeaux and Jonathan Sparks

This course helps Registered Accessbility Specialists to understand the complexities of the TDLR paperwork requirements, how TDLR staff process paperwork on a daily basis, and the importance of ensuring accurate data in TABS. We will go over a project from start to finish in TABS. Finally it will provide some key items that help to ensure that construction projects in the state of Texas are accessible.


Accessibility 101
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 309 1 LU|HSW, ICC #43152 .10 CEU

presented by Gene Boecker

Understanding the basic laws and technical requirements for accessibility is fundamental to a firm foundation upon which to grow your understanding of accessibility requirements. In this program, we'll look into the accessibility-related requirements from the federal ADA and IBC/ANSI A117.1 standpoints, beginning outside the building and working our way in. We may touch on what to look out for in the future.

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Breakout Session #2 - Choose 1 course to attend

 

Exploring a Code of Ethics for Accessibility Professionals *
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 318 1 LU, ICC ICC #43172 .10 CEU

presented by Jennifer Skulski and Nanette Odell


As the profession for accessibility specialists continues to grow, we are faced with new challenges and risks, both as individuals and as an association. Confidentiality, conflict of interests, licensure and certification, communications, disclosure, reporting, records retention, and gifts are just a few of the areas that may pose ethical challenges for members. What are the shared values and expectations for professional behavior within our industry? What is the framework that should serve as a professional code of ethics for accessibility professionals? Join this interactive discussion as we dissect the meaning of the word “ethics” and how that applies to accessibility professionals.

Road Trip Across America: A Guide to EV Parking Requirements
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 318 1 LU, ICC ICC #43172 .10 CEU

presented by Sabrina Blackman and Leah Schoelles

This course will cover the requirements for accessible EVCS requirements under the 2010 ADA, FHA Design Manual, 2021 IBC as well as the Denver amendments and 2022 California Building Code.

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.

Break
Exhibitors available in the lobby

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Breakout Session #3 - Choose 1 course to attend

 

Texas Tech Talk *
course numbers pending

presented by Meghan Simicek and the APA Texas Chapter

Always Forward! Prosthetic Technologies, Their Users, and the Built Environment
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 312 1 LU pending, ICC #43156 .10 CEU

presented by Luisa Janssen

This course will give an overview of how leg and arm prosthetics are used in everyday life by people with limb differences or limb loss and will provide insights into how accessible design can support the experiences of prosthetic users in the built environment. 

12:15 - 12:45 p.m.

Lunch and networking
Exhibitors available in the lobby

12:45 - 1:15 p.m.


APA Annual Meeting

APA President address and introduction of the new 2025 APA President and Board

1:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Break
Exhibitors available in the lobby

1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Breakout Session #4 - Choose 1 course to attend

 

Top 10 ADA/FHA Requirements (That People Get Wrong!)
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1.5 Elective, AIA/CES APA #321 1.5 LU|HSW, ICC #43175 .15 CEU

presented by Gene Boecker and Sarah Presley

The requirements for ADA compliance and FHA compliance are similar yet not identical. Yet, even when the requirements are the same, there is often a misunderstanding about what it takes to comply with those requirements. We will look at 10 examples of things you may think you know the answer to but… maybe you don’t. Someone messed up in order to make it on this list. Let’s hope it’s not you.

Case Study: LA City Housing Accessibility Lawsuits: The Technical Approach to Reach Compliance
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1.5 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 315 1.5 LU|HSW, ICC ICC #43159 .15 CEU

presented by Kaylan Dunlap and James Terry

This session will provide a perspective of accessible public housing from the perspective of a Neutral Accessibility Consultant’s point of view, involving two separate settlement agreements – one with a federal enforcing agency and another with private plaintiffs. We will discuss the challenges of satisfying those two different agreements with differing expectations, challenges that are faced, our approach to enforcing various regulations and standards, and roles that different parties and team members have in the process.

3:00 - 3:10 p.m.

Break
Exhibitors available in the lobby

3:10 - 3:40 p.m.

APA 2025 Committee Meetings

Explore the various APA Committees. Find out how to get involved!

Breakout Session #5 - Choose 1 course to attend

 

3:40 - 5:40 p.m.


The Basics of Field Surveys *
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 2 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 322 2 LU, ICC pending

presented by Nanette Odell and John Torkelson

This course will be a practical exploration into the tools and techniques needed to perform field surveys for accessibility compliance. The course will have a classroom component where we will describe the tools necessary to gather and document field conditions and how to use them. Then we’ll get our “hands dirty” in the field to explore how to apply that information in the real world.

3:40 - 5:10 p.m.

 

Overview of the Fair Housing Act’s Accessibility Design and Construction Requirements with Key Highlights of the Guidelines
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1.5 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 317 1.5 LU|HSW, ICC #43171 .15 CEU

presented by Bill Hecker and Rex Pace

This session will give an overview of the accessibility design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) including the Act’s Accessibility Guidelines.  Key technical assistance and guidance documents, such as the Fair Housing Act Design Manual and the HUD and DOJ joint statement on accessible design and construction under the Act, will also be reviewed in the context of compliance obligations and enforcement.  Additionally, the use of “safe harbors” will be discussed and how they affect efforts to comply.  Also included will be several representative “gray-area” accessibility issues to consider when designing dwelling units covered under the Act and strategies to resolve these.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 


Happy hour with cash bar/JBMS raffle winners announced

 

Friday, January 31, 2025

Time

Activity/Course

Description

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast
Exhibitors available in the lobby

 

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Tech Talks
course numbers pending

presented by Kim Hooker and the APA National Tech Standards Committee

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Breakout Session #6 - Choose 1 course to attend

 

TDLR Updates for TAS, TABS, & Regulations *
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 2 Elective, AIA/CES APA #320 2 LU|HSW, ICC #43174 .20 CEU

presented by Marsha Godeaux and Jonathan Sparks

How does Texas ensure accessibility in the state of Texas? This course will go over the differences between federal accessibility law requirements and state accessibility law requirements. Then it will follow up with an understanding how the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 68 works with those laws. Finally, it will provide clarifications about the latest updates to the Chapter 68 rules and the upcoming changes to the Texas Accessibility Standards.

Accessibility and Fair Housing: Ask the Industry Experts Anything
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 2 Elective AIA/CES #APA 310 2 LU|HSW,ICC #43153 .20 CEU

presented by Bill Hecker, Terry Kitay, Rex Pace, and Mark Mazz

This session will provide attendees with the opportunity to directly question FHA experts about their most challenging concerns. Attendees will gain valuable insights into FHA regulations and common compliance challenges.

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.

Break
Exhibitors available in the lobby

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Breakout Session #7 - Choose 1 course to attend

 

Lessons Learned from Recent ADA, Section 504, and Fair Housing Litigation
course numbers pending

presented by Robert Fine and Bill Hecker

In this session, two architects discuss “cutting edge” federal accessibility laws litigation and the lessons learned from the perspective of an accessibility expert witness and a defense attorney, each involved in recent facility compliance cases related to curb ramps, multifamily housing, “short-term” transient lodging among other key topics. Case studies from ADA, Section 504, and Fair Housing Act facility compliance litigation in which each has personally been involved will be presented along with discussions of how accessibility specialists may become and succeed as expert witnesses and/or litigation consultants in similar cases. 

Key accessibility issues covered include construction tolerances, “safe harbor” issues, federal technical assistance available to support facility compliance arguments, the definition of transient lodging, how confusion over accessibility code compliance can lead to violations in federal facility compliance violations, and how Title II program access issues in ADA & Section 504 curb ramp cases may conflict with street resurfacing compliance duties.

Best Practices in Universal Design
APAC-BE pending, ACTCP 1.5 Elective, AIA/CES #APA 314 1.5 LU|HSW, ICC #43158 .15 CEU

presented by Jonathan White

This course introduces students to the concept of universal design. It invites participants to think differently about typical accessible design to improve human performance, health and wellness, and social participation of a diverse population through eight goals of universal design. It discusses the beneficiaries of universal design, beyond people with disabilities, and describes the differences between universal design and accessibility. It discusses the benefits and business case for universal design and provides resources for implementing universal design. It presents best practices in universal design throughout the presentation, and will include case studies from facilities built using universal design.
12:45 p.m.

Closing Remarks 
Gene Boecker, 2025 APA President

 
1:15 - 4:15 p.m.

APAC-BE Certification Exam
*extra fees and separate registration required

APA is a group of professionals dedicated to accessibility in all aspects of the physical experience for persons with disabilities. Thus, APA offers related education on a regular basis throughout the year, which is open to APA members as well as the public. 


DISCLAIMER: APA makes no representation or warranty as to services provided by its members/specialists/professionals, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions of such members/specialists/professionals in the performance of services offered by such members/specialists/professionals. APA does not give legal advice, and the opinions offered in training presentations are those of the author and not APA itself. 


The authors of the presentations herein are recognized experts in their fields and have agreed to offer their knowledge to the membership of APA to enrich their understanding of the subject matter. The information in these presentations is general in nature and strictly from the point of view of the presenter. It should not be construed as legal, design, or professional advice which can be relied upon by any individual, entity, or group. There is no representation or warranty that the information provided in the presentations, both visual and verbal, is without errors or omissions. The responsibility for final verification of accuracy lies with the viewer.