At Tcherneshoff Consulting, Inc., our team brings together decades of experience in ADA accessibility, design review, and building compliance. We work alongside architects, developers, attorneys, and business owners to ensure every project is accessible, usable, and welcoming to all.
Accessibility is not just a requirement — it’s our responsibility, and the heart of everything we do.
Pictured above is Kirk Tcherneshoff, Founder
Kirk Tcherneshoff
1959–2023
Founder, ADA Consultant & Accessibility Advocate
Long before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law, Kirk Tcherneshoff was advocating for accessibility and equal opportunity. After being injured in a car accident in 1977, he became a wheelchair user and dedicated his life to improving accessibility for others.
In 1981, while attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Kirk co-founded the Fellowship of Rehabilitation Counselors, Educators, and Students (FORCES) to help remove architectural barriers on campus. In 1989, during his role as Programs Coordinator for the Birmingham Independent Living Center, he conducted accessibility measurements and documented real-world challenges that later helped shape accessibility standards.
In 1992 and 1993, Kirk was selected for an advanced federal ADA training initiative through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He was one of only 200 individuals with disabilities nationwide chosen for this specialized program.
Over his career, Kirk completed plan reviews, accessibility consulting, technical assistance, and on-site surveys for more than 1,500 facilities across 40+ states, spanning industries from small businesses and schools to large corporations and municipalities. In 1996, he founded Tcherneshoff Consulting, Inc., where he spent decades guiding clients toward meaningful and practical accessibility compliance.
Kirk’s impact lives on through TCI, now led by Senior Partners Blake Watts and Laurie Frazier, who continue his mission of removing barriers and creating accessible spaces for all.
Kirk Tcherneshoff’s DOJ Certificate from his bio
Pictured above is Blake Watts, President, Senior Partner, ADA Consultant
Blake Watts, APAC-Be
President, Senior Partner, ADA Consultant
Blake graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. His commitment to accessibility was shaped early in his career while training under Tcherneshoff Consulting’s founder, Kirk Tcherneshoff. Blake began working alongside Kirk in 2017 and has since dedicated himself to the field of ADA compliance full-time.
Blake is well-versed in Federal, State, and local accessibility standards, including the 1991 ADAAG, 2010 ADA Standards, UFAS, FHA, and DOT guidelines. Over the course of his career, he has conducted accessibility surveys for thousands of facilities nationwide—from small businesses and restaurants to large entertainment venues, municipal sites, and multi-building complexes across all 50 states.
In addition to surveys, Blake has completed detailed plan reviews for large apartment communities, hotels, recreation centers, medical facilities, and entertainment venues of all sizes. His strong technical knowledge and commitment to equal access earned him the role of Senior Partner and President of TCI.
Blake has also provided expert support during litigation on both the defense and plaintiff sides and has experience with depositions and ADA legal strategy. His goal is consistent: to provide every client with clear, practical, and accurate guidance to help achieve full compliance under the law.
Blake is also a Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) in the state of Texas.
Pictured above is Laurie Yerby, Vice President, Senior Partner, ADA/ Interior Design Consultant
Laurie Frazier
Vice President, Senior Partner, ADA / Interior Design Consultant
Laurie is an experienced and innovative interior designer with a strong focus on accessibility in design. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C. to gain professional experience working with a design firm before returning to the Southeast.
In 2011, Laurie began her career at Tcherneshoff Consulting, Inc., training directly under the firm’s founder, Kirk Tcherneshoff. Through years of hands-on field work, surveys, and detailed plan review, she developed a deep understanding of federal ADA standards, state and local accessibility codes, and the Fair Housing Act Design Manual. Her design background, combined with her technical accessibility training, allows her to interpret complex requirements and translate them into clear, practical solutions for clients.
Laurie utilizes her expertise in AutoCAD and Revit (3D modeling) to produce precise, accessible-friendly conceptual drawings in both 2D and 3D. Her design approach emphasizes environments that are functional, compliant, and visually appealing—ensuring buildings remain both beautiful and barrier-free.
With more than a decade of experience, Laurie has earned her role as Senior Partner and Vice President at TCI. She has worked with clients across numerous industries, helping organizations understand and achieve compliance under the ADA, FHA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Her accessibility consulting also extends into the digital space, where she has successfully assisted clients in meeting WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, and other website accessibility standards.
Laurie’s commitment to inclusive design and her ability to blend aesthetics with compliance make her a trusted expert for clients navigating accessibility requirements.
Steve Mason
Pictured above is Steve Mason, ADA Expert
ADA Expert, Architect (AIA), NCARB Certified
Steve is an accomplished architect with more than two decades of experience dedicated exclusively to accessibility, inclusive design, and Fair Housing compliance. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and holds full NCARB certification, allowing him to practice architecture across multiple states.
For over 20 years, Steve has performed detailed architectural peer reviews for design firms nationwide, ensuring that complex capital projects and new construction align with federal civil rights laws protecting people with disabilities. His work helps architects, developers, and owners avoid costly design errors and achieve full accessibility compliance from the earliest stages of planning.
Steve provides commercial real estate assessments to evaluate ADA and Fair Housing accessibility for building owners, property managers, and prospective buyers. His experience includes accessibility audits for a wide range of facilities—from small businesses and medical offices to large residential developments, recreation centers, and multi-use commercial properties.
In addition to design and assessment work, Steve has supported the settlement of hundreds of civil rights cases by offering expert consultation, reviewing architectural documentation, and guiding clients through remediation strategies. He evaluates programs, policies, and physical environments to help organizations develop sustainable, long-term inclusion practices.
Steve is a registered architect in six states and maintains certification and reciprocity through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
His extensive knowledge of ADA and Fair Housing requirements makes him a trusted advisor for clients working to understand and meet accessibility obligations under federal law.