Janis Kent
Principal
Stepping Thru Accessibility
Janis Kent, FAIA, CASp is the Founding President of the California Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI). She has provided presentations on Accessibility at numerous venues from Dwell On Design in Los Angeles, to Design DC in Washington, at various National ADA Symposiums, to the National AIA Conventions in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Orlando, and upcoming in Boston. Her latest book published by Wiley in August of 2023, is the second edition of “ADA in Details – Interpreting the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design”. It is a compilation of architectural details and specifications now updated and expanded to not only include the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards (ADAS) and the California Building Codes (CBC), but also IBC, and ICC A 117.1.
Ms. Kent is designated a Subject Matter Expert (SME) by the California Division of the State Architect, a Certified Access Specialist, and serves on the committee to develop the California state CASp exams. In 2024 she was appointed to the California Accessibility Code Advisory Committee. She has conducted seminars for the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior, and Residential Design, and has presented to business associations including local AIA Chapters, US Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), Manufactured Housing Educational Trust (MHET), California Public Parking Association (CPPA), the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH), and University of California Construction Services.
Ms. Kent is a licensed California Architect, and has been involved in the specialized field of Accessibility since the mid-1980’s. Currently her firm, Stepping Thru Accessibility predominantly provides consulting services on many aspects of Access. Aside from training, project and drawing review, she also serves as an expert witness. She has managed a wide range of architectural projects, surveyed numerous facilities for accessibility compliance, and provided quality control and property assessments on access throughout the country.
Ms. Kent is designated a Subject Matter Expert (SME) by the California Division of the State Architect, a Certified Access Specialist, and serves on the committee to develop the California state CASp exams. In 2024 she was appointed to the California Accessibility Code Advisory Committee. She has conducted seminars for the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior, and Residential Design, and has presented to business associations including local AIA Chapters, US Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), Manufactured Housing Educational Trust (MHET), California Public Parking Association (CPPA), the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH), and University of California Construction Services.
Ms. Kent is a licensed California Architect, and has been involved in the specialized field of Accessibility since the mid-1980’s. Currently her firm, Stepping Thru Accessibility predominantly provides consulting services on many aspects of Access. Aside from training, project and drawing review, she also serves as an expert witness. She has managed a wide range of architectural projects, surveyed numerous facilities for accessibility compliance, and provided quality control and property assessments on access throughout the country.