The National ADA Symposium has earned the reputation as the most comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability laws. 

The National ADA Symposium: Phoenix will offer over 80 sessions on a wide range of topics presented by nationally recognized experts on the ADA and disability issues.  

We're excited about the range and quality of our session schedule, as well as the many amenities offered by the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

On July 19th, we encourage attendees to go out and "Find Your Fun" in Phoenix!  We will highlight accessible recreation and entertainment opportunities for attendees to enjoy in the local community on Sunday. This is a free event!

Information about these inclusive recreation activities will be posted and updated on the "Find Your Fun" page.  Additional opportunities will be posted as they become available. Check back for updates as July approaches.

Registration for the Phoenix venue is open to the first 1,000 registrations.  Registration will close on June 26th. If the event reaches capacity before June 26th, registration will be closed early.

Please review the information below regarding these important items:

• APAC-BE Exam
• Credit Types Available
• Registration Deadline & Cancellation Policy (plus substitutions)
• Meals Provided
• 2026 National ADA Symposium: Virtual (https://cvent.me/GO1D7d)

APAC-BE Exam - Separate Registration & Approval Required:

Please note that the APAC-BE exam is not affiliated with our ADA Coordinator Certification Program (ADACC) and is a separate exam.

The Great Plains ADA Center is excited to, once again, collaborate with the Accessibility Professionals Association (APA) Certification Program. The APA Certification Exam in the Built Environment (APAC-BE), the only national certification exam for accessibility in the built environment, will be offered at the National ADA Symposium. This joint initiative signifies our commitment to advancing the professional growth and recognition of individuals within the accessibility industry.

The APAC-BE paper-and-pencil exam will be offered to qualified candidates during the Symposium on Tuesday, July 21st, from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Those who apply to take the exam at the Symposium will receive a $25 discount.

• Applications must be approved before the exam. The application deadline is Tuesday, July 7th, and seating is limited.
• To apply and learn more about the exam, visit APACexam.org or take a look at the Candidate Handbook.
•  Please note that the exam application does not include registration for the National ADA Symposium.

APA (Accessibility Professionals Association) is a national network of professionals specializing in accessibility in the built and physical environment. Be sure to visit their exhibit booth to meet the team and learn more about the resources they offer.

Credit Types Available at the Symposium:

ADACC (formerly ACTCP), CEU, AIA LU|HSW, and APAC-BE credits are available upon request during registration.  Please go to the "Credits" tab for details. 

AIA LU|HSW credits are available for sessions that include a # symbol within the session number.

APAC-BE credits are available for sessions that include the @ symbol within the session number (there are 51).

Registration Deadline & Cancellation Policy:

Registration for this event closes on June 26th. 

Cancellation requests must be received by 8:00 PM Central Time on June 26 to receive a refund, less a 10% cancellation fee. Requests received after this deadline are not eligible for a refund.

Substitutions may be made at any time without penalty.

Registrants who do not submit a cancellation request by June 26th and/or do not attend remain responsible for the full registration fee.

If the Great Plains ADA Center cancels the event, a full refund will be issued for all paid registrations.

Meals Provided:

• Lunch will be provided on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
• Dinner will be provided on Monday evening.

2026 National ADA Symposium: Virtual

For those who cannot attend the in-person Symposium in Phoenix, we also offer a Virtual Symposium scheduled for May 4-6, 2026. Registration for the Virtual event closes on April 24th.  (https://cvent.me/GO1D7d)