Janis Kent, Certified Access Specialist
Janis Kent, FAIA, CASp is the Founding President of the Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI), serving all who are involved with access in the built environment, whether in private practice or the public sector. She has made presentations on Accessibility at numerous venues from Dwell On Design in Los Angeles, to Design DC in Washington, to the National AIA Conventions in Chicago, New Orleans, and Atlanta. Her most recent book is the Second Edition of Stepping Through Accessible Details. Richard Halloran, Secretary of the San Francisco Access Appeals Commission, described the book as “The most comprehensive and thorough compilation of accessibility information I have encountered.” She also has recently come out with working matrixes for dwelling unit bathrooms and kitchens comparing the different regulations on an item by item basis. Ms. Kent is designated a Subject Matter Expert (SME) by the California Division of the State Architect, a Certified Access Specialist, and she serves on the committee to develop the California state CASp exams. She conducts seminars for the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Residential Design and has presented to business associations including AIA Chapters, Chambers of Commerce, US Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), Manufactured Housing Educational Trust (MHET), California Public Parking Association (CPPA), and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Ms. Kent is a licensed California Architect, and has been involved in the world of Accessibility since the mid-1980’s. In addition to managing a wide range of architectural projects, she has surveyed numerous facilities for accessibility compliance and provided quality control for facilities throughout the country.