top of page

The Universal Design Symposium consists of a series of lectures, as well as a hands-on design charette based around considerations of accessibility and inclusivity. The symposium brings together a diverse group of individuals including students, educators, individuals with disabilities and design professionals and creates awareness about designing for those with various disabilities. Speakers have included Brett Heising, CEO of brettapproved.com, Valerie Fletcher, Director of the Institute for Human Centered Design, and Cythia Leibrock, international speaker, author, and advocate for universal design. Additionally, I have collaborated with many different community partners on this event including United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Boston, the Institute for Human Centered Design, and Meeting Street. Members of these organizations who have disabilities serve as User Experts for each design team, sharing their experiences and challenges and participating in the design process. I have coordinated and hosted this event on the campuses where I have taught for the past four years. Each year the prototypes and design solutions developed by the multi-disciplinary teams at the event prove to be unique and thoughtful, resulting in a greater awareness and interest in inclusive design.

bottom of page