History

1994: The state of Texas adopts the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS).

1995: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) establishes the Independent Contract Provider (ICP) Program to perform plan reviews and site inspections to ensure compliance with TAS.

1999: The Independent Contract Provider Association (ICPA) is born out of meetings organized and/or attended by founding members Jim Boyce, Kristi Thomas Avalos, Chris Schexnayder, Fred Cawyer, John Torkelson, Tom Ellis, Doug Darr, Teresa Darr, and Charlie Little.

2002: TDLR changes the ICP program to a licensing program, with licensees given the title of Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS). ICPA subsequently changes its name to Texas Registered Accessibility Specialist Association (TRASA).

2003: The volunteer-run board manages the young organization and holds the first TRASA annual meeting and conference in Austin, Texas. 

2008: Growth of membership leads the TRASA board to engage Shirley Knox of Knox-Woolard Professional Management to help manage and promote the organization's continued expansion.

2010: TRASA establishes the Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship to honor and recognize founding member, accessibility advocate, and friend, Jim Boyce. 

2011: Ongoing growth and the increasing reach and diversity of membership leads to another name change, from TRASA to the Accessibility Professionals Association (APA), in order to represent the organization's goal of maintaining consistency among industry professionals and ensuring accessibility in the built environment both within and beyond the borders of Texas.

2016: APA adds a new APA-ADA Specialist designation and becomes an approved ICC provider. 

2017: APA adds a new APA-ADA Assembly Area designation and begins providing pre-verified training for the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP). 

2018: APA adds a new APA-ADA Transient Lodging designation and becomes an approved Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) provider. 

2021: APA adds the Rocky Mountain Chapter, which covers the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The RMC also covers issues relevant to the entire West Coast, and professionals outside of the 6 RMC states are highly encouraged to join.

2023: APA adds the Texas Chapter, which covers the entire state of Texas.

2024: Minda Weldon, with MW5 Professional Management, joins APA as executive director after Shirley Knox's retirement. 

Today: Our members include RASs, architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, ADA coordinators, and other professionals who share a common passion for maintaining access in the built environment for everyone. Join us!