Services
What We Do
Accessibility consulting, regulatory compliance, assessment, interpretation, and education — across the full lifecycle of the built environment. We partner with owners, tenants, operators, architects, engineers, and contractors at every stage, bringing the same depth of expertise to every engagement.
Projects where the complexity of ADA, Texas Accessibility Standards, Building Codes, and ICC A117.1 — and the differences between them — requires expert guidance from someone who understands the full design and code context. Consulting engagements are scoped to the specific needs of the project and the client.
What It Includes
- Standards determination, interpretation and application — ADA, TAS, Building Codes, ICC A117.1, Access Board guidance, and more
- Design reviews at any phase or milestone — predesign, schematic design, design development, or construction documents
- Technical guidance and resolution of conflicts between standards or between standards and design intent
- Communication with TDLR and other regulatory authorities on applicable requirements and project-specific conditions
- Formal written guidance and accessibility code opinions supporting design decisions and regulatory submissions
Scope and fees are established before any work begins. For Texas projects registered with TDLR, Accessibility Consulting and RAS plan review or inspection services must be provided by different specialists — see the note regarding conflicts of interest at the bottom of this page.
Texas law requires that construction documents for covered projects be reviewed by a Registered Accessibility Specialist before the project proceeds to construction. A RAS plan review is a regulatory document review — not a consulting engagement — and the RAS who performs it must be independent from the project design team.
What It Includes
- Review of construction documents for compliance with TAS 2012 and applicable Technical Memoranda
- Issuance of the Proof of Submission (POS) form required by TDLR for building permit applications
- Written findings identifying elements requiring correction prior to construction or inspection
- Coordination with the design team on plan review findings and standard-compliant resolution
- Supplemental review of revised documents and reissuance of findings as needed
RAS plan reviews are governed by 16 TAC Chapter 68. The RAS of record for plan review cannot also provide accessibility consulting services on the same project. Contact us to confirm your project's registration status and review requirements.
Texas law requires a post-construction accessibility inspection by a Registered Accessibility Specialist before a Notice of Substantial Compliance can be issued. The RAS inspection confirms that the constructed project complies with the approved construction documents and TAS requirements.
What It Includes
- On-site field inspection of constructed accessibility elements against TAS 2012 and the approved plan review documents
- Measurement and documentation of accessible routes, parking, ramps, restrooms, and all required accessible elements
- Written inspection report identifying compliant and non-compliant conditions
- Issuance of the Notice of Substantial Compliance upon successful completion, or identification of corrections required for reissuance
- Interim inspections during construction available to identify and resolve issues before final inspection
Inspections must be completed within 60 days of the date of substantial completion or the date the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The same conflict of interest rules apply — the RAS performing the inspection cannot have provided consulting services on the same project.
A facility assessment provides a documented evaluation of an existing building or site against ADA, TAS, and applicable standards — identifying deficiencies, prioritizing remediation, and supporting capital planning, transaction due diligence, or ADA transition plan obligations.
What It Includes
- On-site field survey of all covered building elements and exterior site features
- Deficiency documentation with measurements, photographs, and applicable standard references
- Prioritized remediation recommendations organized by cost and compliance risk
- Preliminary remediation cost estimates for capital planning and transaction due diligence purposes
- ADA transition plan development and self-evaluation documentation for public entities
- Fair Housing Act design and construction compliance assessments for multifamily residential properties
A written accessibility code opinion provides a formal professional analysis of how ADA, TAS, ICC A117.1, or other applicable standards apply to a specific question. Code opinions are used to support design decisions, resolve regulatory disputes, document compliance positions, and provide the basis for legal proceedings.
What It Includes
- Analysis of the specific question against the applicable standard, edition, and jurisdiction
- Review of relevant definitions, scoping provisions, technical requirements, and advisory notes
- Analysis of any conflicts between standards (ADA vs. TAS vs. A117.1) and identification of the governing requirement
- Formal written opinion letter signed and sealed by the RAS of record
- Supporting documentation for submission to TDLR, a building department, or legal counsel
Accessibility standards are complex, frequently updated, and routinely misunderstood in practice. Training programs are developed and delivered for specific audiences — from introductory ADA overview sessions for owners and operators to advanced technical training on TAS plan review and inspection practice for design professionals.
What It Includes
- Custom training programs developed for the specific audience, experience level, and subject matter
- ADA overview and introduction sessions for owners, operators, and non-design staff
- Technical training on TAS, IBC accessibility, and ICC A117.1 for architects, engineers, and contractors
- Plan review and inspection practice training for design professionals and building officials
- Standards comparison workshops addressing differences between ADA, TAS, and A117.1
- Continuing education programs with AIA LU/HSW credits where applicable
Accessibility disputes require a witness who can explain the standards in terms a court can understand, analyze the specific conditions at issue against the applicable requirements, and deliver a credible, defensible opinion under cross-examination. Thirty-five years of design and regulatory practice across every project type provides the technical depth this work requires.
What It Includes
- Review and analysis of the specific facility, condition, or design at issue
- Written expert opinion letters and formal reports suitable for litigation or regulatory submission
- Deposition testimony and trial testimony as expert witness
- Consultation with legal counsel on accessibility standards, their application, and the strengths and weaknesses of a technical position
- Rebuttal analysis of opposing expert opinions
Consultation with legal counsel on accessibility standards and their application to a specific legal question is available separately from testifying engagements.
A Note on Texas Projects
Texas law requires that the RAS who reviews construction documents and the RAS who performs the inspection be different specialists. A RAS who has provided accessibility consulting services on a project cannot also serve as the RAS of record for plan review or inspection on that project.
If your Texas project requires both Accessibility Consulting and a TDLR plan review or inspection, contact us first. We will help you structure the engagement correctly from the start.
Start With a Conversation
Bring us your project, your question, or your problem. Every engagement begins with a free conversation — we will listen, ask the right questions, and tell you honestly what we can do and how we can help. That conversation is where we figure out together what the right scope and approach looks like.