About Us
Janis Kent Bio
Janis Kent, FAIA, CASp is the Founding President of the Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI), serving those involved with access, whether private practice or public sector. She has given presentations on Accessibility at numerous venues from Dwell On Design in Los Angeles, to Design DC in Washington, at the National ADA Symposium in Texas, and the National AIA Conventions in New York City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, Orlando, and Las Vegas. Her most recent book, published by Wiley – ‘ADA in Details – Interpreting the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design’ was initially released in 2017. It was expanded and updated in 2023 in the 2nd Edition to also include the 2017 ICC A117.1, 2021 IBC, and the 2022 CBC. Her previous book, ‘Stepping Thru Accessible Details’, is described by the Secretary of the San Francisco Access Appeals Commission as, “The most comprehensive and thorough compilation of accessibility information I have encountered.”
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. She has conducted seminars for the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Residential Design and has presented to business associations including AIA Chapters, CA Hotel & Lodging Association, 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), the University of California – Construction Services, the California State University – Capital Planning, Design and Construction, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI-LA), International Code Council Orange Empire and Central Coast chapters (ICC), and CSI National Convention – Construct.
Ms. Kent is a licensed California Architect and has been involved in the specialized field of Accessibility since the mid-1980s. Aside from training, building review, 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 and abroad.
The Company
Founded in 2009 and based in Long Beach, CA, Stepping Thru Accessibility (STA) consults with Architects, Building Owners, Developers, Property Managers, Public Agencies, Attorneys and Tenants, assisting them to navigate their way thru accessibility issues with both the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards (ADAS) and the California Building Code (CBC), along with other Access regulations. The complexity of these laws creates a greater need for interpretation and understanding, as well as for information on Accessibility throughout the built environment.
- Research, analysis, and review of questions with letters of opinion on Access issues
- Navigating the intricacies of California Building Codes and Federal Access regulations>
- STA surveys new and existing facilities, and provides detailed reports of items in non-compliance with today’s accessibility standards for the built environment
- CASp reports can be issued once correction schedules are established
- Review and evaluation of construction drawings for new buildings and alterations to verify if accessibility requirements are adequately addressed
- Topical seminars for architects, facilities and property managers, interior designers, landscape, civil engineers, and others involved in the built environment
- Property Assessment Reports based on the ADA or California Building Codes to support due diligence in overall property analysis
- Litigation support services related to Access
