We are excited to announce that Dominic Sims, the CEO of the International Code Council (ICC) has agreed to co-brand the Accessible Design Accreditation Initiative (ADAI) with the Great Plains ADA Center! The ICC is our newest supporter, joining the U.S. Access Board, The American Society of Interior Designers, the Association of Licensed Architects, all ten National ADA Centers and almost 40 other national agencies and leaders in advancing the ADAI. Stay tuned as this collaboration unfolds with the ICC, the global leader in the model codes and accessible design guidance.
Mission
The Accessible Design Accreditation Initiative (ADAI) proposes that University and college architectural and interior design programs integrate new academic objectives based on the foundational principles of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the applicable International Code Council model codes, and the ICC/ANSI.A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities into their curriculums.
These objectives focus on a broader understanding and more robust application of accessible design principles. The current and sporadic patchwork of continuing education programs for professionals is no replacement for the rigors and effectiveness of a four-year academic program. The ADAI recognizes that our academic institutions are best positioned to enhance the education of professionals before graduation.
By collaborating with the accreditation agencies, design curriculums can incorporate educational objectives that result in newly graduating architects and interior designers with the theoretical and technical knowledge necessary to implement effective accessible designs, improving the built environment for people with disabilities and society at large.
Goal
Our goal is to encourage the national accreditation organizations that assess and validate University design programs to adopt ADAI-recommended program objectives into their accreditation requirements.
The ADAI has the support of the U.S. Access Board, the International Code Council A117 Committee, the Association of Licensed Architects, and the American Society of Interior Designers. These are but a handful of the more than 28 national associations, institutes, and respected professionals in the design community who have co-signed the ADAI. We continue to gather support and encourage you to learn more about the ADAI and join our efforts.
Learn More
- Video: Horizons in Architectural Education: The Accessible Design Accreditation Initiative (ADA) (From the Institute for Human Centered Design)
- Letter from the Great Plains ADA Center to the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Provides an in-depth rationale for the Initiative.
- Letter of Support from the U.S. Access Board Executive Director, Sachin Dev Pavithran, Ph.D.
- List of ADAI Co-Sponsors and Supporters
- The Accessible Design Accreditation Initiative Best Practices Guide: Educational Foundations of Accessible Design (PDF) provides a detailed description of the ADAI and educational objectives. Note: This document is currently under revision.
How You Can Support this Initiative
Your Support of the ADAI Makes a Difference! Please consider adding your name to the list of prestigious co-sponsors and supporters of the ADAI by simply completing this form. Your name, position title, and organization will be added to the growing list of supporters.
If you prefer to reach out to the accreditation agencies directly to voice your support, here is the contact information for the architecture and interior design agencies.
You may also email the following leaders at the accreditation agencies to urge these agencies to include the ADAI in the agenda at the next Architectural Review Forum (ARF) hosted by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). A template is provided for you to copy or use as a basis for your email. Download the template.
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
[email protected]
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
Holly Mattson CEO
[email protected]
National Architectural Accrediting Board
[email protected]
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
Customer Relations
[email protected]
Colt Brock, President, AIAS
[email protected]
Julia Andor, Vice President, AIAS
[email protected]
Kimberly Tuttle, AIA ED
[email protected]
Dr. Mo Zell, ACSA President
[email protected]
Dr. Michael Monti, ACSA President
[email protected]
Kimberly Dowdell, AIA President
[email protected]
Kendall Nicholson, Director Equity and Research ACSA
[email protected]
Illya Azaroff, incoming AIA President 2025
[email protected]
Matt Toddy, AIA At Large Director
[email protected]
Kenneth R. Van Tine, 2024-2025 NCARB President
[email protected]
Michael J. Armstrong, CEO NCARB
[email protected]