Universal Designers & Consultants, Inc.

Universal Designers & Consultants Inc. is an architectural consulting firm that specializes in helping clients address their accessibility and universal design needs. The firm, founded by John P. S. Salmen, AIA in 1991, has a history of assisting large corporations, small businesses and government entities in complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Contact Information

6 Grant Avenue
Takoma Park 20912 USA

Phone: 301.270.2470

Preferred Contact Method: Phone 

Web: http://www.UDConsultants.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Universal-Designers-Consultants-Inc/212053627926

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/UDandC

Service Experience

Years of Experience: 30

The recomendations we offer our clients are based on over 20 years of experience in the field. The UD&C staff is able to stay up to date on accessibility trends and the intricacies of code evolution by participating in the International Building Code/American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI) A117 standard development process. Their involvement keeps them connected and, in the know‚ about ever-changing accessibility laws and regulations. UD&C President John Salmen has been a voting member of the ICC/ANSI A117 Committee for more than two decades and currently serves on the Editorial Committee. In addition, the firm represented the American Institute of Architects (AIA) on the ADA Accessibility Guidelines Review Federal Advisory Committee that developed the revised Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines that the Department of Justice has adopted as the ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.

What We Can Do For You
We can assist you in addressing all of your accessibility needs from evaluating the accessibility of a single element to developing an entire corporate accessibility management program and ADA compliance strategy for thousands of facilities.

Facilities surveys ‚ we can evaluate your existing facilities and properties for ADA and FHA compliance, outline steps and specific changes needed to bring your facility into compliance and/or improve overall accessibility. We can identify issues, provide photos, offer prioritized recommendations and alternatives, as well as cost estimates for remediation. We can provide references to 1991 ADAAG, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, state and model code provisions. The process and criteria used in our analysis as well as report formats are worked out with the client on a case-by-case basis.

Plans Review ‚ we can review your architectural plans (construction documents) at any stage of a project (new or a renovation) and give you a detailed report, identifying accessibility issues (citing the specific guidelines, codes and regulations) and suggesting practical solutions. Identifying accessibility issues early on saves everyone time and money.

Corporate Accessibility Management Plans ‚  maintaining an accessible environment takes ongoing vigilance. We can craft a strategy to help you keep your facility compliant. We can develop tools, consistent with your culture that will empower your employees to maintain your investment in an accessible environment. We can help you comply with US Department of Justice demands.

Training ‚ we can empower your design or facility management teams by educating them on ADA requirements and Universal Design alternatives. We design content and training format to meet your needs.

Expert Witness ‚ we can testify as an expert witness or provide technical expertise in a legal matter. We can assist in negotiations with plaintiffs/defendants or their experts to come to a mutual agreement.

Technical Assistance  we can provide technical guidance formally and informally. We offer consulting services over the phone, via e-mail or in writing.