ADA CASp Inspections
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Under the direction of Paul A. Joelson AIA, CASp, Joelson Vail Associates LLC consults on compliance with the accessibility design standards and code requirements as prescribed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the International Building Code (IBC) and Title 24-the California Building Code (CBC).
Mr. Joelson’s expertise is demonstrated by his unique qualifications as a California and Arizona Licensed Architect, a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) by the California Division of the State Architect, and a Certified Building Inspector and Accessibility Inspector / Plans Examiner by the International Code Council (ICC). |
Over the last fifteen years, Paul has been an ADA design, building code compliance, and peer consultant to architects, developers, public entities, and business and property owners during the planning, construction document and construction phases. In addition, he has provided litigation support and expert witness services representing similar clients in lawsuits over denied access, standards of care construction defects, personal injury and/or contract disputes.
For the past ten years, the firm has offered design service to modify home facilities employing universal design principles to accommodate quadriplegic and paraplegic clients injured in a variety of work or traffic accidents.
Under authority of Senate Bill 1608, as a CASp Inspector (#061), Mr. Joelson is authorized to provide CASp certified inspections and reports. Upon completion of an inspection and delivery of a report of findings and recommendations, he is authorized by the State of California to issue a watermarked and numbered certificate. The certificate is accompanied by a cover letter with one of two caveats:
1) The premises inspected are in “Full Compliance” with the code and standards and the certificate represents that fact;
2) The certificate represents evidence of an CASp inspection, however, “Compliance is Pending” and contingent upon repairs according to the report.
The goal of the state sponsored program is to provide special benefits to property owners to discourage litigation, and/or streamline a disabled access lawsuit to contain costs and save time by mandating a 90 day stay and directing the parties to meet in an early evaluation conference.
For the past ten years, the firm has offered design service to modify home facilities employing universal design principles to accommodate quadriplegic and paraplegic clients injured in a variety of work or traffic accidents.
Under authority of Senate Bill 1608, as a CASp Inspector (#061), Mr. Joelson is authorized to provide CASp certified inspections and reports. Upon completion of an inspection and delivery of a report of findings and recommendations, he is authorized by the State of California to issue a watermarked and numbered certificate. The certificate is accompanied by a cover letter with one of two caveats:
1) The premises inspected are in “Full Compliance” with the code and standards and the certificate represents that fact;
2) The certificate represents evidence of an CASp inspection, however, “Compliance is Pending” and contingent upon repairs according to the report.
The goal of the state sponsored program is to provide special benefits to property owners to discourage litigation, and/or streamline a disabled access lawsuit to contain costs and save time by mandating a 90 day stay and directing the parties to meet in an early evaluation conference.
AIA Continuing Education
In addition, Mr. Joelson has conducted seminars and developed coursework sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for architects to obtain Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) units for license renewal as required by the California Board of Architects pursuant to SB 1608. The courses are also approved to satisfy annual AIA requirements for continuing education on Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) issues.
The courses cover the history and scope of accessibility laws and standards, differences between state and federal standards, practical applications in design and construction, and the typical “ADA Suspect” assemblies that are basis for lawsuits claiming civil rights violations and denial of equal access to public accommodations.
The courses cover the history and scope of accessibility laws and standards, differences between state and federal standards, practical applications in design and construction, and the typical “ADA Suspect” assemblies that are basis for lawsuits claiming civil rights violations and denial of equal access to public accommodations.
Accessibility Consulting Services Include:
Operative Accessibility Codes and Standards are as follows:
Compliance Audits and Strategies have included the following uses:
Clients for Expert Witness Services and Compliance Audits have included:
- CASp Certified Design and Consultation
- Certified Property Inspections and Reports
- Litigation Support to Attorneys, Insurance Companies and Property Owners
- Expert Witness with Court Testimony Experience
- Certified Compliance Audits and Barrier Removal Strategies
- Transition Plan for Public-Title II Entities
- Architectural and Engineering Design Services
- Repair Strategies and Construction Documents
- Permit Services and Coordination with Building Officials
- Plan and Peer Review of Plans and Construction
- Cost Estimating - Planning and Cost of Repairs
- Value Engineering of Design and Repair Alternatives
- Construction Supervision and Management
Operative Accessibility Codes and Standards are as follows:
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG-94)
- ADAAG Supplements—1998—2002
- Americans with Disabilities Act / Architectural Barriers Act Design Guidelines-2004
- California Building Code—Title 24 (CBC-98, 2001, 2007—Chapters 11A and 11B)
- Uniform Building Code (ICBO) and CBC Legacy Codes through 1998
- Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Design Guidelines
- California State Housing and Community Development (HCD)
- International Building Code (IBC)—2000, 2003, 2009 and 2009
- ICC / ANSI Standards A-117.1—1998 and 2003
- Principals of Universal Design
Compliance Audits and Strategies have included the following uses:
- Title II Entities—State, County and City Buildings, Parks and Recreations Facilities
- Educational Facilities—Public School and University Facilities
- Shopping Centers, Common Areas and Retail Establishments
- Hotels and Casinos
- Restaurants and Bars
- Office Buildings and Tenant Interiors
- Medical / Dental Buildings and Suites
- Lakes—Boating and Fishing Facilities
- Public Campgrounds and Picnic Areas
- Multi-Family—Apartments, Condominiums and Mobile Home Parks
- Health Clubs, Gyms and Swimming Pools
- Sports Arena and Sports Stadiums
- Public Parking Garage and Lots
Clients for Expert Witness Services and Compliance Audits have included:
- Levi Strauss Retail Stores
- State of California Employment Development Department (EDD)
- San Diego Workforce Partnership
- City Attorney, City of San Diego
- City of San Diego
- City of San Marcos, CA
- City of San Clemente, CA
- San Diego Unified Port District
- Helix Water District, La Mesa, CA
- Fullerton Joint Union High School District
- San Diego Padres Baseball Club
- Los Angeles Clippers Basketball Club
- Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club
- Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
- Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
- Pizza Hut Restaurants, San Diego and Imperial County, CA
- Ralph’s Grocery Company, Southern California
- Party City, Southern California
- Numerous Small Retail Businesses, Office Complexes and Shopping Centers throughout Southern California
CASp Certified
ADA Compliance Audits
ADA Compliance Audits
Joelson Vail Associates LLC :: 330 Encinitas Blvd., Suite 202-G, Encinitas, CA 92024 :: VOICE (858) 836-3210 :: FAX (760) 230-2507 :: CSLB# 740477