NCIDQ's Newest Self-Study Monograph Focuses on ADA Guidelines, Offers Continuing Education Credits at Your Convenience

March 15, 2005
Contact Kathleen Butler at 202.721.0220

WASHINGTON, DC--The U.S. Census estimates that nearly 50 million Americans live with a disability, and nearly half of these have more than one. These staggering statistics underscore the critical need for interior design professionals to keep abreast of the latest U.S. federal requirements for accessibility and to be aware of changes that may affect future work.

NCIDQ's newest self-study monograph helps interior design professionals working in the United States do just that. ADA Guidelines: Past, Present and Future provides a convenient and economical way to gain the knowledge without having to travel to a class or be away from the office. Like all NCIDQ monographs, ADA Guidelines: Past, Present and Future comes with a 25-question quiz, scored by NCIDQ, that enables designers to demonstrate mastery of this important topic. Successful completion of NCIDQ's monographs allows design professionals to earn the CEUs needed to renew their registration/license or professional memberships.

Since being signed into law 15 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been subject to continuous interpretation. Guidelines such as the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) have been developed to maintain the intent of the law. Most recently, the Access Board combined these guidelines with the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) to create the ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines. Although the ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines are not mandatory, they do serve as a baseline for enforceable standards. Design professionals working in any environment need to have a working knowledge of these guidelines.

Written by interior designer and author, Sharon Koomen Harmon, NCIDQ's ADA Guidelines: Past, Present and Future provides an overview of the ADA and a detailed discussion of the various versions of the ADA Guidelines. Designers will also learn how the type of building and scope of work determines which parts of the ADA apply and the extent to which they need to be followed.

NCIDQ's ADA Guidelines: Past, Present and Future is available for purchase for $115 and includes a 73-page book and accompanying quiz. Active NCIDQ Certificate holders may take 10% off this price when they provide their Certificate number. Visit NCIDQ's Web site at www.ncidq.org for more information or an order form.

NCIDQ is an organization of regulatory boards and provincial associations in the United States and Canada whose mission is to protect the public by identifying those individuals who are competent to practice interior design. More information about the organization may be found at www.ncidq.org.

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