Project registration
I register your project with TDLR and handle the filing for you, for a flat fee.
G-001 Registered Accessibility Specialist · Texas
Having a disability is not a matter of “if,” but “when.”
I review plans, inspect buildings, and write transition plans so the places people use every day work for everyone who uses them. And as a consultant, I bring an architect’s eye to fixing what doesn’t.
- Licensed since 2010
- TDLR Project Registration, Plan Review & Inspection
- TAS · ADA · UFAS
A-101 Services
From the first sketch to the final walkthrough
I take any accessibility question, basic or detailed, under whichever codes apply, on projects of any size and at any phase of design or construction.
Plan review
Review of your construction documents against the Texas Accessibility Standards, as required by TDLR.
Inspections
On-site inspections across Texas. The report lists every item that doesn’t comply. No gray areas: an item either passes or it doesn’t.
Assessments & transition plans
Surveys of existing buildings, parks, campuses and cities, with a prioritized plan to remove barriers over time.
Design consulting
Outside of TDLR work, I don’t just list deficiencies. I find practical solutions that respect your budget and your design constraints.
Litigation support
Accessibility consulting for attorneys and their clients in civil cases, from site reviews to code research.
Accessibility is more than wheelchairs. I plan for every kind of disability a person may have.
A-201 Register a project
Three things get your project moving
Most Texas projects over $50,000 must be registered with TDLR before construction. Here’s everything a review needs. All forms can be filled out and signed online.
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Fees
A flat $200 registration fee, plus plan review and inspection fees based on construction cost. Pay review and inspection together and a small discount applies.
See the fee schedule → -
Forms
Five forms. Not every form applies to every project, and I’ll tell you if and when another one is needed.
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Drawings
A full set of construction documents: architectural, civil, structural, MEP, landscape and specs. The more complete the set, the more useful the review.
RAS forms
Have your BAC and TABS numbers? Forms 02–05 can come pre-filled.
- Form 01 Project Registration FormThe most important one. No signature needed, so anyone can fill it out.
- Form 02 Proof of Submission FormSigned by the lead design professional, usually the architect.
- Form 03 Designated Agent FormSigned by the owner to designate an agent who works with me directly.
- Form 04 Request for Inspection FormSigned by the owner or agent, ideally when the inspection fee is paid.
- Form 05 Limited Liability Ownership FormOnly when the owner is an LLC, LLP or limited partnership. Signed by the managing member, partner or authorized representative.
A-301 Projects
From El Paso to Corpus Christi, and from Texas to Michigan
Plan reviews and inspections throughout Texas, plus assessments and transition plans for cities, campuses and public venues across the country.
Transition plans
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
- El Paso Independent School DistrictEl Paso, TX
- City of Ann ArborMichigan
- City of EvanstonIllinois
- Montgomery CountyOhio
Assessments, design & consulting
- El Paso County Coliseum, assessmentEl Paso, TX
- Ascarate Park, assessmentEl Paso, TX
- Wendy’s franchise locations, assessmentEl Paso, TX · Las Cruces, NM
- Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, UFAS designEl Paso, TX
- Accessibility improvements, various buildingsFort Bliss, TX
- Litigation support, civil casesEl Paso, TX
A-401 About
I don’t just tell you what’s wrong. I help you fix it.
As a consultant, that is. On TDLR projects, where I serve as your RAS, I must remain an independent third party and can’t be part of the design team. Solutions come through my consulting and transition plan work.
Brunjes Accessibility Consulting is a one-person practice, by design: the person who answers your call is the licensed RAS who reviews your plans and inspects your building. I take pride not only in what I do, but in how I do it. Since receiving my license in 2010, I’ve applied that knowledge to architectural design, plan review, inspections, and litigation support.
With a background in architecture, I look past the checklist. My goal is the greatest possible accessibility for the people who will actually use a space, across every kind of disability, while understanding the owner’s budget and the design constraints of the project.
A-501 Help & FAQ
First time hiring a RAS?
You probably have questions. Here are the ones I hear most. If yours isn’t here, just ask.
Why should I worry about accessibility?
An estimated 1 in 4 adults in the United States has some type of disability. The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having one.
By that definition, growing older brings disabilities with it. Having a disability is not a matter of “if,” but “when.”
RAS, TDLR, TAS… what do these mean?
- TDLR is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the state agency with authority over the Architectural Barriers Act.
- TAS is the Texas Accessibility Standards, the design rules a project must follow to be deemed compliant.
- A RAS (Registered Accessibility Specialist) is a private third party registered with TDLR to perform plan reviews and inspections on behalf of the state.
For the full (long and boring) version, see the Architectural Barriers Law, the Administrative Rules, and the Texas Accessibility Standards.
Why do I need to register my project?
Texas passed a law, effective June 1, 1994, to eliminate architectural barriers and give people with disabilities better access to buildings and facilities. Registration is how the state makes sure projects are reviewed and inspected.
Does my project need to be registered?
All private and public projects with a construction cost over $50,000 must be registered with TDLR, except federal and federally funded projects. There are other exceptions too, and I’m happy to help you figure out whether one applies.
So projects under $50,000 don’t need to comply?
Not at all. With a few exceptions, every project must comply with TAS regardless of cost. Projects under $50,000 simply don’t need to be registered.
How do I get started?
You need three things: fees, forms, and drawings.
- Fees. A flat $200 registration fee, plus a plan review fee and an inspection fee based on construction cost. A small discount applies when plan review and inspection are paid together, and I accept a variety of payment methods.
- Forms. The Project Registration Form (or register it yourself with TDLR), the Proof of Submission Form, the Designated Agent Form if the owner names an agent, the Request for Inspection Form, and the Limited Liability Ownership Form if the owner is an LLC, LLP or limited partnership. Later forms like the Proof of Inspection, Inspection Response or Variance Application come up only when needed, and I’ll walk you through them.
- Drawings. A complete set of construction documents for every trade. The more complete the set, the more thorough the plan review.
Why does the owner need to designate an agent?
As a RAS, I’m required to send all correspondence to the property owner, who is ultimately liable for the project. Many owners can’t or don’t want to handle every detail, so they can designate an agent (usually the architect, but it may be an engineer, contractor, tenant, property manager or employee) to work directly with me and TDLR.
This is a lot. Can I just talk to someone?
Of course. Email olaf@brunjes.us, call or text 915-209-2580, or book a time.
A-601 Contact
Let’s talk about your project
- Call or text915-209-2580
- Emailolaf@brunjes.us
- Office500 W Overland Ave., Suite 250-R
El Paso, Texas 79901 - ElsewhereLinkedIn · Facebook
Request an appointment
Pick a time that works for you and I’ll confirm by email. Weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM, Mountain Time (El Paso).