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Get Educated

Have an accessibility challenge in your area? Our Education & Training Committee can help. We are dedicated to helping organizations and their teams learn about the accessibility industry, the relationship between various codes and how these issues impact business and the end user.

If you would like an AEMA representative to visit your organization, please contact us.

Upcoming Seminars & Training Sessions

Information will be posted here shortly. For more information, contact Dave Balmer at dbalmer@aema.com

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There are many benefits to AEMA membership. Learn how being a member gives you a competitive edge in your market place.

Resource Center

This area is designed to provide you with a general knowledge of accessibility issues and codes & standards. As an AEMA member, you get access to in-depth code information at the regional level, as well as industry research data and news. There are many benefits to becoming an AEMA member.

2004 Code Meetings

Your committee members will be attending each code meeting to ensure our industry is well represented.

• A17: Seattle, WA - Main Committee - Sept. 20-22
• LULA: Seattle, WA - Sept. 20
• Private Residence Elevators: Seattle WA - September 21
• A18: January 26, 2005 in St. Petersburg, FL
  

All meetings to be held at:
Sheraton Hotel
1400 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206-621-9000

 

AEMA is proud to be a part of the founding and creation of the new "CAT" (Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician) Training Program recently introduced by NAEC (National Association of Elevator Contractors).

Recognizing the need for a training program for the non-affiliated sector of the elevator industry, and in response to the requirements of the model elevator law being adopted by various states, NAEC has been developing the Certified Elevator Technician (CET) training program. After the CET program was well under way, NAEC started to receive requests from a certain group of their members within the Accessibility sub-Committee that perhaps a second training program was required. This program would address the training needs of the Accessibility Industry. (In most areas where the model elevator law had been adopted, the law also included accessibility contractors.)

It wasn't long before the Private Home Elevator contractors asked that any new program should include them. Thus a series of meetings were held that included the NAEC accessibility committee, Education Committee, and by request, AEMA (Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer's Association). Dave Balmer, AEMA's Industry Advocate, was requested to create a profile for a training program that would address the industry training needs. At a meeting in the spring of 2003, Dave presented the final version of the suggested training program (version 5) and it was accepted as a template for the curriculum for the program. The curriculum can be reviewed on the NAEC website www.naec.org. The actual authoring and publication of both the CET and the CAT programs are the responsibility of Elevator World, the industry's premier elevator trade magazine. Elevator World has retained Dave Balmer of AEMA to author the training program. EW has also retained Dr. John White of Techwrite Inc., a professional educator. More details on the development team can be reviewed on the NAEC website www.naec.org.

AEMA is a strong supporter of the "CAT" training program. We urge all interested parties in the accessibility and home lift industry to participate in this very in-depth and professional training and certification program. Some points to consider:

• A Grand-parenting program is in place for those persons who are currently working in the industry and can verify and document their experience. This option will only be available until December 31, 2005.
• NAEC and AEMA are continually lobbying State and local jurisdictions to accept the "CAT" as an acceptable certification that qualifies the holder for local licensing, where applicable. Certification would thus be "portable" between jurisdictions.
• Annual training credits required to keep certification up to date.
• All training courses are self study…..no traveling required! Or they can be used for apprenticeship classroom time as seen fit by the employer.
• Trainees can advance at their own pace; you set the timetable!

For more information about the "CAT" Certification, visit the NAEC web site. AEMA members can also contact Dave Balmer for further information at dbalmer@aema.com

Codes & Standards

ADAAG: Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. Developed by the Federal Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (The Access Board) and incorporated in the ADA regulations for new construction and alterations of commercial facilities and government buildings. ADAAG references the 2001 edition of ASME A18.1.

ASME A17.1: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers' Safety Standard for Elevators and Escalators. Part XX addresses safety requirements for vertical and inclined wheelchair lifts in non-residential applications. This standard has now been replaced by A18.1.

ASME A18.1: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts.

CABO/ANSI A117.1: The American National Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (Council of American Building Officials. Secretariat): The 1992 edition is referenced in Chapter 11 of the BOCA National Building Code 1993.