California CASps are on the front line of construction‑related accessibility claims. We issue reports, we sell and track Disability Access Inspection Certificates (DAICs), and we get asked one question over and over: “If I have a CASp report and DAIC, am I protected? Do I automatically get a ‘stay’ of any lawsuit?” The short answer for practitioners: a DAIC is powerful evidence, but it does not automatically create a stay, and it is never a permanent shield. The stay and earl

The short answer: Use "disabled" or "person with a disability," not "handicapped." The term "handicapped" has fallen out of favor in the disability community and professional settings, while "disabled" and person-first language are generally the preferred, respectful choices. Why Language Matters When communicating about disability in business settings—whether you're writing job postings, talking with clients, or creating accessible spaces—the words you choose send a powerful

When people say “ADA certified” in the context of buildings, they’re really talking about a handful of credentials that prove you understand architectural barriers—parking, ramps, doors, restrooms, paths of travel, all of it. This post keeps it simple, focuses on built‑environment credentials, and explains why some sit higher on the food chain than others. Quick ranking: building accessibility credentials Here’s the big picture first. Table 1 – Architectural accessibility cre

Navigating the Gray Areas: When Barrier Removal is NOT "Readily Achievable" When you are served with an ADA lawsuit, the immediate reaction is often to start tearing up concrete and widening doors. But as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) and expert witness, I frequently evaluate conditions where strict compliance simply isn't feasible. Federal law requires "readily achievable barrier removal"—modifications that are easily accomplishable without much difficulty or expense.

When we inspect a facility, we have to look at these two terms through very different lenses: 1. The Accessible Route (The Physical Path) An accessible route is the actual, physical pathway that connects accessible spaces. According to both 2025 CBC 11B-402.2 and 2010 ADA 402.2 , this route can only consist of walking surfaces, doorways, ramps, curb ramps, elevators, and platform lifts. Notice what's missing? Stairs. Stairs are never classified as an accessible route compo

When a small business in California gets hit with an ADA letter or lawsuit, the first reaction is usually panic: · “Do I have to rebuild my whole building?” · “Which standard am I supposed to follow, 2010 ADA or CBC 11B?” · “What if the building is old and I’ve never remodeled anything?” Let’s walk through this in plain, conversational terms, using the same framework I use as a CASp when I’m writing reports and helping owners make practical decisions. Two Se

If you’ve ever had this conversation in a parking lot— · Contractor: “My 4-foot level shows 1.8%. We’re good.” · CASp: “My 2-foot digital level reads 2.3%. That’s a violation.” —you’ve run into a core problem in accessibility enforcement: the codes give us hard slope numbers , but they say nothing about the length of the level we’re supposed to use to prove them. That gap is exactly where owners, builders, and CASps start arguing. This article puts all of that int

Effective January 1, 2026 If you're building or managing multifamily residential housing in California, there's an important update you need to know about. The 2025 California Building Code Chapter 11A includes a significant scoping change that became effective on January 1, 2026. This guide explains exactly what changed from 2022 to 2025 in simple, easy-to-understand language. Complete List of 2025 11A CBC Section Changes Here's the official list of sections that changed fro

Effective January 1, 2026 If you own or manage commercial buildings, public facilities, or public housing in California, there are important updates you need to know about. The 2025 California Building Code Chapter 11B includes changes that became effective on January 1, 2026. This guide breaks down all the changes from 2022 to 2025 in simple, easy-to-understand language—with complete explanations so you don't have to search through the code yourself. Complete List of 2025 11

This is not legal advise and used only for illustrative purposes only. Please contact an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. If you own a small business in California, you've probably heard horror stories about ADA lawsuits. Maybe you've received a demand letter yourself, or you're watching neighboring businesses get sued and wondering if you're next. You're not alone—and your concerns are valid. In 2025, ADA lawsuits increased by 12% compared to 2024, with

Find a CASp: https://www.coreyandpartners.com/contact https://www.casinstitute.org/casp/ https://www.apps2.dgs.ca.gov/DSA/casp/casp_certified_list.aspx When it comes to ensuring your property complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California accessibility standards, hiring a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) is one of the smartest decisions you can make. But here's what many property owners don't realize: not all CASps are the same . With nearly 1,000 ac

The short answer: Neither the ADA 2010 Standards nor the California Building Code (CBC) Chapter 11B actually require kick plates on doors. What they require is a smooth bottom surface on certain doors, and kick plates are simply one way to achieve or protect that smooth surface. Understanding the Smooth Surface Requirement What the Codes Actually Require Both the 2010 ADA Standards (Section 404.2.10) and CBC Chapter 11B-404.2.10 contain identical requirements for door surf