Accessibility requirements can get complicated.

Our job is to make them easier to understand, plan for, and implement.

Whether you are designing a new facility, managing an existing property, developing an ADA Transition Plan, or trying to understand your organization’s ADA responsibilities, Altura Solutions can help you determine the right path forward.

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About Altura​

What does Altura Solutions do?

Altura Solutions is an accessibility consulting firm specializing in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), ADA Transition Plans, public rights-of-way, accessibility training, and related compliance consulting.

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We work with public agencies, architects, engineers, contractors, property owners, developers, and other organizations to identify accessibility requirements and develop practical solutions for meeting them.

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Who does Altura work with?

Our clients include cities, counties, state agencies, transportation agencies, universities, parks and recreation systems, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, property owners, and private organizations.

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Because our team has experience in design, engineering, construction, government, planning, and accessibility compliance, we understand accessibility from multiple sides of a project.

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Where does Altura provide services?

Altura is headquartered in Austin, Texas and works with clients nationwide.​

Our Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) services support projects throughout Texas, while our ADA consulting and ADA Transition Plan services are available to public and private clients across the country.

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When should I bring Altura into a project?

Earlier is usually better.​ Accessibility considerations identified during planning and design are generally easier to address than issues discovered during construction or after a project is complete. Altura can assist during planning, design, construction, and post-construction, depending on the needs of the project.

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ADA & Accessibility Consulting

What is the difference between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS)?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) are accessibility standards administered in Texas through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

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Depending on the project, Federal ADA requirements, TAS requirements, building codes, and other accessibility standards may overlap.

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Altura helps project teams understand which requirements apply and how to address them.

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Can Altura review a project even if a formal accessibility review is not required?

Yes, Altura can provide accessibility consulting, technical assistance, design reviews, field assessments, and other services even when a project is not required to go through the formal TDLR process.

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A voluntary review can be particularly valuable during design, renovation planning, due diligence, or before construction begins.

 

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Texas / TDLR / RAS Services

When do I need to register my project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR)?

Generally, projects subject to the Texas Architectural Barriers Act with an estimated construction cost of $50,000 or more must be registered with TDLR and undergo the required accessibility review process. 68.30 Exemptions and special circumstances may apply, so project applicability should be evaluated individually. 

 

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What if my project costs less than $50,000?

A project below the TDLR registration threshold may still be required to comply with applicable Texas Accessibility Standards. In some circumstances, a project may also be voluntarily registered or reviewed.

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What is a Registered Accessibility Specialist?

A Registered Accessibility Specialist, commonly called a RAS, is an accessibility professional registered through TDLR to perform services required under the Texas Architectural Barriers Act.

 

Altura can assist with project registration, TAS plan reviews, inspections, accessibility guidance, and variance support.

 

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What is the typical TDLR compliance process?

1. Registration

The project is first registered to TDLR with the Project Registration Form. The drawings must be submitted to a certified Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) along with the Proof of Submission Form filled out and signed by the designer before the twentieth business day after they've been sealed/issued.​​

2. Plan Review

The project must have a plan review performed by the RAS. A report is issued noting all concerns found during the review process. These concerns are to be addressed during construction.​

3. Inspection

Once construction of the facility is complete, the Owner will submit a signed Request For Inspection Form to the RAS and an inspection is scheduled. All violations found during the inspection must be corrected in order to close the project, however TDLR does not require a re-inspection. The Owner will then need to sign an Inspection Response Form stating that violations have been corrected. This form is then used to close the project with TDLR.

4. Corrections and Project Closure

If violations are identified, the project team addresses the items and provides the required verification so the project can be completed through the TDLR process.

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How long does a plan review or inspection take?

Timing depends on the size and complexity of the project, the standards being reviewed, current workload, and whether additional information or revisions are needed.

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Altura coordinates scheduling with clients at the beginning of each project and will communicate any timing considerations that could affect the project schedule. If you have an accelerated deadline, let us know when requesting a proposal so we can discuss available options.

 

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ADA Transition Plans

What is an ADA Transition Plan?

An ADA Transition Plan is a roadmap used by public entities to identify accessibility barriers and establish how those barriers will be addressed over time.

 

A comprehensive accessibility planning effort may evaluate facilities, parks, trails, public rights-of-way, programs, services, activities, policies, and procedures to help an agency understand its responsibilities under ADA Title II and prioritize improvements.

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Who is required to have an ADA Transition Plan?

ADA Title II applies to state and local governments. Public entities are required to evaluate their services, policies, and practices for ADA compliance. For public entities with 50 or more employees, federal regulations also require a Transition Plan when structural changes to facilities are necessary to achieve program accessibility.

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Altura helps public agencies evaluate their specific responsibilities and develop plans appropriate to their facilities, infrastructure, programs, and communities.

 

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What does Altura's ADA Transition Plan process include?

The scope is customized for each agency and may include:

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• Facility, park, trail, and public right-of-way assessments

• GIS-based accessibility data collection

• Evaluation of programs, services, and activities

• Policy and procedure review

• Community engagement

• Barrier prioritization

• Cost estimating and budgeting

• Implementation schedules

• Grievance procedures and ADA best practices

• ADA Coordinator and staff support

• Staff training

• Development of the final Transition Plan

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The goal is not simply to produce a report. We help agencies develop a practical framework they can continue using to manage accessibility improvements over time.

 

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Can Altura assess sidewalks, curb ramps, streets, and other public rights-of-way?

Yes, public right-of-way accessibility is one of Altura's core areas of experience. We evaluate sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian routes, street crossings, transit-related infrastructure, and other elements of the pedestrian environment.

We can provide field assessments, GIS data collection, design guidance, Transition Plan support, prioritization, and technical consulting.

 

Does an ADA Transition Plan only address physical facilities?

No. Physical accessibility is an important component, but ADA Title II addresses access to a public entity's programs, services, and activities, not simply its buildings.

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Altura can help agencies evaluate policies, procedures, communications, departmental practices, grievance procedures, and other operational considerations in addition to physical barriers.

 

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Training & Specialized Services

Does Altura provide ADA training?

Yes! Altura provides customized accessibility training for public agencies, architects, engineers, contractors, project managers, and other organizations.

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Rather than simply walking through regulations, our training focuses on how accessibility requirements apply in real-world situations. Topics can be customized based on the audience, responsibilities, and challenges of the organization.

 

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Can Altura provide accessibility guidance during design or construction?

Yes, we regularly work alongside architects, engineers, owners, and contractors to answer accessibility questions, review design conditions, evaluate potential solutions, and help resolve accessibility concerns before they become larger project issues.

 

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Can Altura serve as an accessibility subject matter expert?

Yes. Altura provides subject-matter-expert consulting related to accessibility requirements, including technical analysis, reports of findings, litigation support, and expert assistance involving ADA and accessibility matters.

The appropriate scope depends on the nature of the matter and the standards involved.

 

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Getting Started

How do I request a proposal?

Use our Proposal Request form and provide as much information about the project as you currently have.

Don't worry if you aren't sure exactly what service you need. Tell us about the project and our team can help identify the appropriate next step.

 

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I have an accessibility question but I'm not sure what service I need. Can I still contact Altura?

Absolutely! Accessibility is rarely one-size-fits-all. Send us a brief description of the project, facility, or issue and our team can help point you in the right direction.

 

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Accessibility is freedom. Let us help you get there.

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