CASI

What CASI does

CASI (Certified Access Specialist Institute) is a California-based 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Fresno. It serves as the recognized collective voice for Certified Access Specialists (CASps) — state-credentialed professionals who assess building accessibility under California Building Code Chapter 11B and the ADA — along with architects, building officials, inspectors, and supporting associate members. CASI does not develop proprietary technology; its function is advocacy, professional education, and community infrastructure for accessibility practitioners across California. The organization holds formal collaboration status with the California Division of the State Architect (DSA), the California Commission on Disabled Access (CCDA), and the Access Code Collaborative (ACC), and its leader (Ernest Wuethrich) holds the CASp representative seat on the 14-person ACC panel that helps shape Chapter 11B regulation.

CASI's product surface consists of three layers: (1) membership tiers — Professional ($199/yr for certified CASps), Associate ($175/yr for supporting professionals), and Group memberships at discounted rates ($150–$180/person) for jurisdictions and firms with three or more employees; (2) a member-product marketplace featuring third-party accessibility tools and references (BlueDAG evaluation software, CORADA, ADA Sign Depot, Wikk SQ10 activation switches, ADA pocket guides, knee clearance templates); and (3) the annual Accessibility Summit, a two-day continuing-education conference offering AIA/HSW, ICC, and ADACC credits with tiered registration pricing ($475–$825 depending on membership status and timing). Supporting infrastructure includes a public Find a CASp directory, a member code library, a job board, and a Listserv for member-to-member communication. Distribution is entirely self-serve via casinstitute.org, with event registration at the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina for the 2026 Summit.

CASI's revenue is generated exclusively through membership dues and event registration fees; financial details are not publicly disclosed. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors composed of practicing CASps from architecture firms, government building departments, and accessibility consultancies, with Janis Kent serving as Founding President. Geographic scope is strictly California, with no signals of expansion to other states despite the existence of analogous credentialing programs elsewhere. The organization operates with 11–50 employees and is classified as private nonprofit with no parent company, investors, or external ownership.

Name

CASI

Legal name

Certified Access Specialist Institute

Website

https://casinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CASI is a California 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization serving Certified Access Specialists (CASps) and accessibility professionals with tiered dues ($150–$199/yr), the annual Accessibility Summit, a Find a CASp directory, and formal collaboration with the California Division of the State Architect.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fresno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for certified CASp professionals providing access to code library, job board, listserv, Corada subscription, seminars, and member directory listing.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for individuals supporting accessibility professionals' ideals, including architects, contractors, and consultants who are not CASp certified.
3. Group Membership Dues: Discounted annual membership for jurisdictions and companies with 3+ employees interested in professional and/or associate membership.
4. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from the annual Accessibility Summit, including member and non-member registration fees ranging from $475-$825 depending on timing and membership status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CASI is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization that serves Certified Access Specialists (CASps) and accessibility professionals in California. It provides tiered membership programs (Professional, Associate, and Group), a code library, Find a CASp public directory, member-only job board, listserv, and educational events such as the annual Accessibility Summit. The organization advocates for CASp professionals with state agencies and offers resources for building accessibility and ADA compliance work.

Product overview

The Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI) is a membership organization for accessibility professionals, not a software product company. CASI's offerings include tiered membership programs (Professional, Associate, and Group memberships ranging from $150-$199 annually), a member product marketplace featuring tools for accessibility professionals (BlueDAG Evaluation Software, CORADA resource database, ADA Sign Depot, ADA reference guides and templates), a searchable Find a CASp directory, and annual events including the 2026 Accessibility Summit. The organization focuses on professional education, networking, and resources for Certified Access Specialists who assess building accessibility compliance in California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Membership Annual ($199/year) membership for CASp-certified professionals who have passed the Candidate Certification Examination, agree to the Code of Ethics, and adhere to CASI Bylaws. Includes Find A CASp directory listing, code library access, job board access, Corada subscription, and 50% off seminars.
• Associate Membership Annual ($175/year) membership for individuals supporting CASI ideals who are registered professionals or are involved in construction-related accessibility codes and regulations. Includes code library access, Corada subscription, job board, listserv, and member directory.
• Group Membership Discounted annual group membership ($180/person for Professional, $150/person for Associate) for jurisdictions and companies with three or more eligible employees.
• Find a CASp Directory

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Division of the State Architect (DSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSA established the CASp certification program in 2003 under Senate Bill 262. CASI collaborates with DSA on rulemaking for California Building Code Chapter 11B, CASp examination development, and training programs. DSA publishes the official list of certified CASps.
• California Commission on Disabled Access (CCDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASI maintains ongoing communication and advocacy relationship with CCDA to promote accessibility awareness and compliance standards. The organization participates in CCDA initiatives and checkbox committee activities.
• Access Code Collaborative (ACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 14-person panel established by DSA that provides input and feedback on proposed amendments to California Building Code (CBC) Chapter 11B regulations. CASI's Ernest Wuethrich serves as the CASp representative.
• BlueDAGminorOthersBlueDAG is a web-based Property Evaluation and Reporting Platform for CASps, access consultants, and other professionals. Featured as a CASI member product.
• ADA Sign DepotminorOthersCalifornia-based manufacturer of ADA compliance signs, Title 24/AB 1732 restroom signs, parking signs, and truncated domes. Featured as a CASI member product.
• CORADAminorOthersComprehensive Resource for the ADA providing federal ADA standards, technical assistance, CAD/BIM files, design ideas, professional opinions, and training videos. CASI provides members access to Corada's Accessibility Specialist Level Subscription.
• Evan Terry AssociatesminorOthersAccessibility consulting firm whose CEO Jim Terry co-founded Corada. Several CASI board members have connections to ETA.
• Accessibility Professionals Association (APA)minorOthersProfessional association for accessibility specialists. Several CASI members including Matt Lescher hold leadership positions in APA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• U.S. Access Board: The federal agency that develops and maintains accessibility guidelines under the ADA and ABA. While not a commercial peer, the Access Board shapes the regulatory framework that CASI members operate within and is a key stakeholder.
• California Division of the State Architect (DSA): The California state agency that established and administers the CASp certification program. DSA is the regulator that CASI members are credentialed by and is a strategic partner rather than a competitor.
• Disability Rights California: A California advocacy organization that drives ADA enforcement and litigation activity — a key demand driver for CASp services. Indirectly related as a stakeholder shaping the accessibility compliance market CASI serves.

Broad incumbents

• International Code Council (ICC): ICC develops model building codes and certifies accessibility inspectors/plans examiners — credentials many CASI members also hold. ICC is a broader incumbent serving code officials across all building disciplines, with overlapping education and certification functions.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA): AIA serves architects — a core CASI member segment — and provides continuing education (including AIA/HSW credits, which the CASI Summit also offers). AIA is a broader professional membership incumbent with overlapping education and advocacy missions.

Emerging players

• BlueDAG: A web-based property evaluation and reporting platform for CASps and accessibility consultants. BlueDAG is featured as a CASI member product but also operates as a standalone SaaS tool serving the same CASp workflow.
• Evan Terry Associates: An accessibility consulting firm whose CEO co-founded Corada and which maintains close ties to CASI board members. ETA operates in the same accessibility code and consulting space and competes for consulting and training engagements.

Direct peers

• Accessibility Professionals Association (APA): A professional association for accessibility specialists, with overlapping membership and shared leadership between CASI and APA. APA competes directly for accessibility professionals seeking membership, education, and advocacy representation.
• Corada: A comprehensive online ADA resource database (federal ADA standards, CAD/BIM files, training) that CASI bundles into its membership benefits. Corada is both a CASI partner and a competing resource destination for accessibility professionals.

Regional players

• ADA Sign Depot: A California-based manufacturer of ADA compliance signage featured as a CASI member product. Operates in the same California accessibility compliance ecosystem and shares the CASI member base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CASIgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certified-access-specialist-institute/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/casinstitute
• Xx.com/casigroup

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CASI