ADA Academy

Accessible design is growing. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark civil rights legislation that increases access and opportunity for people with disabilities across community life, has been the law of the land for more than three decades. Taking that as a starting point, the architecture, design, and construction industries have gone beyond mere code adherence, constantly working to find new and innovative means to approach accessible and universal design in creative ways to enhance the built environment for all—from ADA signage and designing ADA-compliant commercial showers and bathrooms to modular construction that embraces a new vision for accessibility and innovative solutions for learning environments. As noted by the CDC, one in four U.S. adults currently lives with a disability. With demographics changing and Baby Boomers aging, there has never been a more critical time for architects and designers to understand the full range of options, challenges, and opportunities surrounding this critical law. This academy is focused on a range of design methodologies that will make life more equitable for those who have disabilities today, while also keeping future generations in mind.