Registered Accessibility Specialists (RAS) are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to inspect commercial construction projects statewide to ensure compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS). The TAS is a construction law built upon the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Approximately 11.5% of the Texas population are persons with a disability.
In general, a RAS performs a review of plans to be used for the construction of the building/facility and inspection services for both private and publicly-funded buildings and facilities in order to verify compliance with provisions of the Texas Architectural Barriers Act (TABA), including the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) prior to occupancy.
A RAS shall:
Obtain, comply with, and be knowledgeable of the following documents:
Texas Government Code, Chapter 469, Elimination of Architectural Barriers (the Texas Architectural Barriers Act or “TABA”)
Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 68.
Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS)
Technical Memoranda
RAS Procedures
RAS Bulletins
Current Forms
Notify the owner or designated agent of the building/facility when a project is not subject to review (i.e. projects with an estimated construction cost of less than $50,000 and/or projects that are not subject to the Act