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Welcome to Accessibility Professionals Association

APA provides a forum, resources, and continuing education to learn and share ideas about accessibility in the built environment

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APAC - Certification Program

Certifying Excellence in Accessibility

The APAC-BE is the only national certification for accessibility professionals working in the built environment

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Connecting Professionals, Building Accessibility

Our members include accessibility specialists, architects, interior designers, engineers, ADA coordinators, building officials, and others who work to make the world a more accessible place

Take the APAC-BE exam at the ADA Symposium and save $25! Deadline is Tuesday, July 7. Register here

Fresh off the press: June 2026 APA Newsletter! Read it here

 

Meet the 2026 Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship Winners! Read more here

Mark Your Calendar

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Hire a Professional

Check our directory to find accessibility professionals in your area.

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Excellence in Accessible Design Education (EADE)

APA is spearheading the Excellence in Accessible Design Education (EADE) project to advocate for the adoption of academic accreditation criteria addressing accessible design and related regulatory frameworks.

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APAC Certification

The APAC-BE certification is the only national certification for accessibility professionals working in the built environment.

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Become a Member

 

The Accessibility Professionals Association is a dynamic and diverse organization open to all professionals interested in understanding and maintaining accessibility in the United States and around the globe

Member Spotlight

Joseph Cooley

Joseph Cooley is an accessibility professional, architect, and educator working at the intersection of the built environment, disability, and policy. He currently serves in the role of the Campus ADA Architect at Virginia Tech, where he oversees compliance, consultation, and institutional accessibility strategy across facilities, programs, and employment.

Learn more about Joseph here

In Memoriam

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George "Dusty" Grimes - 1945-2026

George Grimes dedicated many years to accessibility and more than 25 years of service to theACCESSpartnership; he made a lasting impact on the world of accessibility. As one of the original pioneers in the field, and as RAS #49 for the State of Texas, George helped shape the practices and professional expectations that continue to guide accessibility work today.

His long-standing involvement with the Accessibility Professionals Association reflected his deep commitment to advancing accessibility, supporting others in the profession, and improving the built environment for all people. George’s contributions will continue to be remembered with respect and gratitude by those who had the privilege of working with him, and by the many lives touched through his work. He passed away on April 5, 2026, leaving behind a meaningful and enduring legacy.

Read his obituary here

Website Accessibility: APA is committed to making our website accessible to everyone. We strive to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. If you encounter accessibility barriers on our site, please contact us at 512-222-3676 or CommunicationsDirector@APAaccess.org.