Spring 2020 - Volume #10
Table of Contents
 
  1. Message from the President
  2. Message from the Summit Chair & Director of Public Outreach
  3. Remembering James Brogan, 1947-2019
  4. Call for Topics/Speakers
  5. Scott Rice, CASp
  6. CASp Program Stats
  7. Barriers Protecting Access
  8. Upcoming Events
  9. Update Your Profile
  10. Members Corner - Welcome New Members
Message from the President
Ernest Wuethrich, CASp

Greetings from my work station, which now resides in my living room, here in Santa Rosa, California.  2020 has proven to be a challenging time for many in the CASp community:  from the Building Official to the independent CASp, we have had to find a new sense of normalcy in how we navigate the world while keeping safe and healthy.  We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.

With that said, the CASI Accessibility Codes & Standards Summit scheduled for July at the Disneyland Hotel has been cancelled.  Although we see some signs of reopening in California, public gatherings will continue to be banned for the foreseeable future.  And while we want to remain optimistic on a quick recovery in California, we will not put our community’s health and safety at risk to push forward, even if we could proceed. 

“Rolling with the punches” is going to be a theme for many of us here in 2020.  And the CASI Board is rolling with the punches and adjusting accordingly.  We are happy to announce our upcoming webinars for June and July. Please save the dates for:

  • June 12: Rex Pace of the US General Services Administration (GSA) will present on the Architectural Barriers Act and the Federal Government
  • July 10:  Arnie Lerner and Rick Halloran will present on Civic Response to Drive by Lawsuits: San Francisco’s Accessible Business Entrance
  • July 31:  John Wodatch, Ida Claire and Janis Kent will participate in a roundtable sharing history of the ADA, CASI and Accessibility in California in celebration of both the ADA’s 30th Anniversary and CASI’s 10th Anniversary

Registration information will be shared in the coming weeks.

The CASI Board of Directors has been working hard to finalize our plans to continue to provide you valuable resources and quality education. We look forward to your participation in the upcoming webinars and CASI/ADA virtual celebration.

Sincerely,

Ernest Wuethrich, CASp #662
CASI President
Message from the Summit Chair & Director of Public Outreach
Kaylan M. Dunlap, LPTA, CASp, ADAC

2020 is certainly shaping up to be a year like no other. We’re all coming up with different and creative ways to do the work we usually do and trying to define what “normal” is for now and will be in the future. Making the decision to cancel the 2020 CASI Accessibility Codes and Standards Summit was not an easy one – it is such a valuable time for our members to come together and geek out on code stuff face to face, to share a cup of coffee with old friends and to make new ones while we listen and learn. But yet, the world keeps turning and we plunge ahead even though we can’t be together this summer. The 30th anniversary of the ADA will still come this July and we will still celebrate CASI’s 10th anniversary.

One of the largest ADA celebrations was to be this month at the National ADA Symposium in Kansas City. Many of CASI’s members were slated to speak this year and there’s no doubt that CASI would have had a large representation among attendees. While we won’t be able to enjoy the incredible networking opportunity that symposium offers, the Great Plains ADA Center will be offering many of those same breakout sessions online. More info can be found here about the sessions being offered.

What better way to celebrate than to spend some time with the Access Board’s Guide to the ADA Standards? The Board recently released new technical bulletins on restrooms, bathing facilities, and drinking fountains, with guidance on lavatories and sinks, washing machines and clothes dryers, and saunas and steam rooms yet to come. No doubt a way to pass some time if you’re needing a break from binge watching The Office yet again.

As Ernest mentioned, CASI is happy to announce that we will be bringing John Wodatch, Ida Claire, and Janis Kent together for a virtual celebration later this summer. It will be a nice opportunity to listen to stories about how the wheels on this bus started turning and these three, among others, had important roles that now allow us to celebrate 30 and 10 years later. If you’re interested in some of the history going back as far as the Rehab Act, check out the book Being Heumann by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner (there’s a strong California connection to the story of the Rehab Act) and the Movie “Crip Camp”, which is available on Netflix. Both are a good measure for how very far we’ve come in this country and part of that success is because of the work we all are doing.

If you would like to share your story about what the ADA means to you and how it has changed your world (or the world of someone you care about), send a paragraph or two to me and we can include it in the CASI newsletter and/or on the CASI LinkedIn group page. My email is kdunlap@evanterry.com.
Remembering James Brogan, 1947-2019

It is with heavy hearts that we must bid a fond farewell to James Brogan. 

Jim was one of the Founding Board Members of CASI.  As Director of Professional Standards, Jim was instrumental in creating the Code of Ethics for CASI. 

Throughout his career, Jim, an architect, worked as a plans examiner for the Cities of Orange, Lake Forest, and Irvine.  Always striving to better accessibility, Jim was one of the authors of the Orange Empire Chapter of ICBO’s ‘Reasonable Construction Tolerances for Disabled Access Construction’. This document was subsequently shut down by the California Attorney General’s Office. 

Jim was an inspiration and mentor to many.  He will be sorely missed.  He is survived by his wife, four children, and nine grandchildren.
Call for Topics/Speakers

The CASI Board would like YOUR INPUT on topics you are intersted in learning about or speakers you would like to hear from.

This is your opportunity to share your suggestions on thought provoking, trending, and timely topics and speakers that are important to you, your colleagues, and the members of CASI. 

Topic and speaker submissions will be reviewed by the CASI Board to assist with the content development and strategy for our upcoming webinars and seminars.

Submit your topics/speakers to info@casinstitute.org by Friday, May 22.
Click here to submit your topic/speaker
suggestions to CASI today!
Scott Rice, ASLA, LEED AP, CASp 

On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, CASI member Scott Rice, CASp was sworn in for appointed positions on two boards for the County of San Bernardino, California: as Vice Chair of the newly-formed Building & Safety Appeals Board, and as a member of the inaugural Physically Disabled Access Appeals Board. Scott was nominated for each position by Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. Scott will serve consecutive four year terms on each board.  

The Building and Safety Appeals Board is a technical review panel, charged with considering matters in which property owners and builders believe the County has incorrectly applied the Building Code during plan review, construction, or to an existing building resulting in that building being declared substandard or unsafe. The Physically Disabled Access Appeals Board considers ramifications of certain exemptions to accessibility requirements, and serves to advise the County Building Official on disabled access matters. Each of these boards will work toward achieving the Countywide vision by capitalizing on San Bernardino County’s diversity, ensuring a sustainable system of quality community elements, and governing in an open and ethical manner.

In addition to being one of only three Certified Access Specialists with primary professional licensure as a Landscape Architect, Scott is currently transitioning into a majority ownership role in Community Works Design Group, a multi-disciplinary design and planning firm based in Riverside, California. Scott has served the City of Highland under contract as the City Landscape Architect for over 15 years, and for the past 3 years in a supporting role to the City’s Building Official for accessibility related matters.
CASp Program Stats

Debbie Wong, Senior Architect with the Division of the State Architect has been tracking the CASp program and new certifications. CLICK HERE for a summary of where we stand as a profession, including pass rates of recent exams.
Barriers Protecting Access
Lorena Soules, City of Garden Grove, Permit Center Supervisor, CASp

What is a barrier?

Typically when you think of a barrier, most consider it to be a barrier preventing access to goods and services to persons with disabilities. For this article, a barrier is referencing a 6-inch curb, guard or other elements that prevent injury to those with disabilities.

Guards and curbs are important to prevent wheelchair users from injury by preventing their wheels from dropping off a walk. Barriers not only protect wheelchair users but also protect the blind or persons with impaired vision, from walking off an elevated area or running into a projecting element.

Curbs, when provided, as shown in the article photo above, prevent a wheelchair user from dropping off the landing edge, and direct them through the accessible route to the public way. This same curb enables a blind person to navigate the walk by tapping with their cane. For a person who has impaired impaired vision, the curb though required, may actually be a danger. For example, someone who has impaired vision from advanced stage glaucoma includes narrowed vision and no depth perception. Due to the lack of contrast between the walk and the curb, they could trip on the curb and drop off the landing, by assuming they could walk straight instead of directing themselves along the accessible route.

Many barriers can be used to direct persons along an accessible route. I have seen landscaping used, such as hedges, large and oversized planter boxes. Most commonly used are curbs with or without guards. Having an experienced design professional is key when preparing plans for development or site improvements. Oftentimes design professionals will work with an accessibility specialist to ensure access is provided to the most current regulations.

What is the best type of barrier? A curb with a guard may be the best type of barrier. A guard provides a distinct indication that access is redirected and prevents someone from tripping over the curb. In the photo, the curb is required, the yellow paint is not, nor is a guard. However, I would recommend placing a guard on the curb versus painting the curb a contrasting color. This provides the best protection for persons with impaired vision. Parallel curb ramps is another location that I would recommend a curb with a guard to be used. Oftentimes when exiting a courtyard or other common area that leads to a parallel curb ramp, the drop off of the curb isn’t always distinguished enough for persons with impaired vision.

Overall, there are many options that can be used that provide access and protection.

Owners are best to rely on the expertise of a design professional rather than trying to figure it out on their own. Keep in mind that access designed and provided for those that need it, shall be designed to protect everyone that uses it.

Click here to view the "Barriers Protecting Access" PDF article.

Is it required to paint the curb yellow or another contrasting color? No, it is not required. However, painting a curb yellow or other contrasting color serves as an indicator of a surface or grade change, making it easier for persons with a vision impairment to detect. You will not be sued if your curb is not painted, you may be sued if individuals trip over the curb and sustain an injury. It is in the best interest of the owner to ensure access is provided, even when not required by code or statute. As an accessibility consultant, it is our responsibility to educate owners in providing access to their goods and services.

Many barriers can be used to direct persons along an accessible route. I have seen landscaping used, such as hedges, large and oversized planter boxes. Most commonly used are curbs with or without guards. Having an experienced design professional is key when preparing plans for development or site improvements. Oftentimes design professionals will work with an accessibility specialist to ensure access is provided to the most current regulations.

What is the best type of barrier? A curb with a guard may be the best type of barrier. A guard provides a distinct indication that access is redirected and prevents someone from tripping over the curb. In the photo, the curb is required, the yellow paint is not, nor is a guard. However, I would recommend placing a guard on the curb versus painting the curb a contrasting color. This provides the best protection for persons with impaired vision. Parallel curb ramps is another location that I would recommend a curb with a guard to be used. Oftentimes when exiting a courtyard or other common area that leads to a parallel curb ramp, the drop off of the curb isn’t always distinguished enough for persons with impaired vision.

Overall, there are many options that can be used that provide access and protection.

Owners are best to rely on the expertise of a design professional rather than trying to figure it out on their own. Keep in mind that access designed and provided for those that need it, shall be designed to protect everyone that uses it.

Click here to view the "Barriers Protecting Access" PDF article.
Upcoming Events
FRIDAY, JUNE 12

SPRING WEBINAR

Rex Pace of the US General Services Administration (GSA) will present on the Architectural Barriers Act and the Federal Government.

Time: 9am - 11am
Click here to learn more and register for June 12 webinar.
FRIDAY, JULY 10

SUMMER WEBINAR

Arnie Lerner and Rick Halloran will present on Civic Response to Drive by Lawsuits: San Francisco’s Accessible Business Entrance.

Time: 9am - 11am
Registration information to come.
FRIDAY, JULY 31

CASI/ADA VIRTUAL CELEBRATION

John Wodatch, Ida Claire and Janis Kent will participate in a roundtable sharing history of the ADA, CASI and Accessibility in California in celebration of both the ADA’s 30th Anniversary and CASI’s 10th Anniversary.

Time: to be determined...
Registration information to come.
Update Your Profile

All CASp members are listed on the Find A CASp search portal. It's a great tool which allows an individual to search for CASps within their geographical area.

Login to your Member Dashboard, select 'Manage Profile' and update your information today!

Add a photo, include your bio, and share other important information so that other members and prospective clients can easily find you!
Members's Corner - Welcome New Members
CASp Members

Melania Flores Guardado
Yung Kao
Associate Members

Yousif Yousif
 
CASI VISION

Influencing positive change in access through awareness and proactive adaptation of the built environment.
CONTACT

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Fresno, CA 93726
Phone: (866) 888-9188
Fax: (559) 227-1463
Email: info@casinstitute.org

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