Episode 51: Building Accessibility Standards in the U.S. and Beyond

Episode 51: Building Accessibility Standards in the U.S. and Beyond

Author: International Code Council: Non-profit, building codes June 29, 2023 Duration: 33:23

The ICC Pulse Podcast is back with a whole season of 5 episodes ready to listen! This is one of the five.

Through a series of interviews with accessibility standards experts, we discuss accessibility standards in the United States and Canada and their impact when constructing buildings. We also highlight the history and impact of the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Standard: Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

This episode is sponsored by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

Guests on the show:

  • Kimberly Paarlberg, Senior Staff Architect, International Code Council
  • Ken Schoonover, President, KMS Associates, Inc.
  • Judy Zakreski, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions, International Code Council
  • Dino Zuppa, COO, Accessibility Standards Canada

Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:

·       The Code Council's resources on accessibility: https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/safety-toolkits/accessibility-info/

·       Accessibility Standard A117.1: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/icca117-12017P4

·       Link to Accessibility Standards Canada new online Centre of Expertise: Centre of Expertise for Standards and Research on Accessibility - Accessibility Standards Canada

·       Additional background information on the Canada Accessible Act:


Tune in each month to ICC Pulse Podcast for a direct line to the conversations shaping our built environment. Produced by the non-profit International Code Council, this series goes beyond the technical text of building codes to explore the people, policies, and innovations driving safety forward. You’ll hear unscripted discussions with engineers, researchers, and policymakers who are on the ground, tackling everything from adapting structures for climate resilience to integrating smart city technologies. Rather than dry regulations, the podcast focuses on the practical impact of these standards on communities and the future of construction. It’s a resource for anyone in government, technology, or the non-profit sector who wants to understand the why behind the rules. Each episode aims to connect the dots between current events, emerging tools, and the code development process, offering a genuine insider’s perspective you won’t find elsewhere. By listening, you gain context on how building safety evolves and how it touches every aspect of modern life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 67

ICC Pulse Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 5: ft Mike Pfeiffer & Ed Wirtschoreck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:22
In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, ICC's Senior Vice President of Technical Service Mike Pfeiffer joins as our guest host. He and special guest Ed Wirtschoreck, ICC Director of Codes, share a comprehensive recap o…
Episode 4: Legionella & Building Water Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
In this month's episode, the Code Council interviewed Dr. Janet Stout, a world-renowned expert on Legionella and Legionnaire's disease. Dr. Stout, president and director of Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburgh and…
Episode 3 ft. FEMA's Eric Letvin & John Ingargiola [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
In this month's episode we welcome two guests from the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Eric Letvin, FEMA's Deputy Assistant Administrator of Mitig…
Episode 2 ft. Beth Tubbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:20
Beth Tubbs, a senior staff engineer with the International Code Council Codes and Standards Development department joins us this month. She has been with the Code Council since 1995 and she is currently the secretariat t…
Episode 1 feat. Jay Elbettar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:17
In episode 1, Whitney Doll, the Code Council's Director of Communications and podcast host, talks with Board of Directors President Jay Elbettar, P.E., CBO, LEED AP, CASp. Jay shares some of his experiences as a code off…