Business Details
35 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert ADA Accessibility & Universal Design Consulting
Universal Designers & Consultants (UD&C) is a team of expert accessibility architects and designers dedicated to creating equitable built environments through specialized Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) consulting services. With over three decades of combined experience, our firm provides technical expertise to building owners, attorneys, and design professionals while integrating Universal Design principles that enhance facility functionality and user satisfaction. Our team has resolved hundreds of accessibility challenges through defensible solutions that withstand legal scrutiny, leveraging the most current ADA standards and innovative methodologies. We maintain leadership in the field by delivering cost-effective, high-quality services grounded in ethical practices and continuous learning. Our collaborative approach ensures stakeholders receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to their specific needs, whether through facility audits, expert testimony, or corporate compliance programs.We prioritize education over regulation, empowering clients to achieve accessibility goals through informed decision-making. Our professionals hold prestigious certifications and affiliations, including the American Institute of Architects and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. With a global perspective informed by international projects, we combine architectural expertise with accessibility specialization to serve diverse client needs across sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and public infrastructure. Our commitment to advancing Universal Design extends to developing educational resources and tools that simplify complex accessibility standards for professionals and organizations. Through this comprehensive approach, we strive to make environments accessible to people of all abilities and ages.
Services
Accessibility Consulting
Surveys and Assessments
Construction Document Review
Expert Witness Services
Corporate Compliance Programs
Emergency Management Accessibility
Universal Design Solutions
ADA Training Seminars
Facility Audit Surveys
Historic Preservation Compliance
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of combined ADA compliance expertise with architects and attorneys
- Our team includes AIA-certified professionals with global architectural experience
- We provide defensible solutions that withstand legal challenges and litigation
- We develop customized corporate accessibility programs with training components
- Our emergency management accessibility services address vulnerable population needs
What people say
Sound guidance
Well-established firm
Expertise unparalleled
Creative solutions
Comprehensive training
Services
Accessibility Consulting
Our accessibility consulting services help organizations achieve Americans with Disabilities Act compliance through expert analysis and tailored solutions. We work with architects, building owners, and legal teams to identify barriers and implement cost-effective modifications. Our consultants combine architectural expertise with legal knowledge to create accessible environments that meet current standards while enhancing user experience for all visitors.
Expert Witness Services
We provide expert witness services for accessibility-related litigation cases, offering technical analysis and courtroom testimony. Our consultants have extensive experience resolving ADA compliance disputes through defensible evaluations and clear explanations of accessibility requirements. We support legal teams with case preparation, document review, and expert reports that withstand scrutiny in accessibility-related legal proceedings.
Corporate Compliance Programs
Our corporate compliance programs help organizations maintain ADA compliance across multiple facilities through customized training and implementation tools. We develop tailored strategies that align with corporate culture while providing staff with resources to maintain accessible environments. These programs include audit protocols, compliance checklists, and ongoing support to ensure sustained accessibility standards.
Emergency Management Accessibility
We specialize in making emergency management plans accessible to people with disabilities through comprehensive assessments and inclusive strategies. Our services identify accessibility gaps in emergency procedures and develop solutions that ensure equal access during crisis situations. We help organizations implement emergency communication systems and evacuation protocols that accommodate all individuals.
Facility Assessments
Our facility assessments evaluate existing buildings for ADA compliance through detailed inspections and technical analysis. We provide comprehensive reports with prioritized recommendations for accessibility improvements while balancing practical implementation considerations. Our assessments cover all aspects of physical access including entrances, restrooms, circulation paths, and communication features.
People
Matthew Tierney
President
Matthew Tierney is a licensed architect and accessibility expert with 15+ years of ADA standards experience. He leads proactive consulting for multinational corporations and specializes in accessibility audits and compliance strategies while serving on AIA disaster assistance committees.
John Salmen
Founder
John Salmen founded UD&C in 1991 and has specialized in accessibility design for 40+ years. As an AIA Fellow and former ADAAG committee member, he remains a leading authority on Universal Design principles and accessibility code development.
Questions
What accessibility services do you offer for businesses?
We provide ADA compliance audits, expert witness services, corporate accessibility programs, emergency management planning, and facility assessments tailored to your organization's needs.
How do you handle historic building accessibility requirements?
We develop context-sensitive solutions that balance historic preservation with modern accessibility standards through collaborative stakeholder engagement and code-compliant modifications.
Can you help with multi-location corporate compliance?
Yes, we create customized corporate-wide accessibility programs with standardized audit tools and staff training to maintain consistent compliance across all locations.
Do you provide expert testimony in ADA litigation?
Our consultants have extensive experience providing expert witness services including technical analysis, courtroom testimony, and legal document review for accessibility-related cases.
How do you address emergency accessibility needs?
We develop inclusive emergency management plans that ensure equal access for people with disabilities through specialized communication systems and evacuation protocols.
What industries do you typically work with?
We serve hospitality, healthcare, public infrastructure, education, and corporate sectors with specialized accessibility solutions for each industry's unique requirements.
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