YOUR DESIGN WORKSHOP HAS NEVER HAD A SPEAKER LIKE THIS

PASSIONATE PRESENTATIONS ON INCLUSIVE DESIGN

Steve Wright engaged a full audience of diverse people with his cut-to-the-bone examples of what is right and wrong in the built environment at Disability Advocates Fifth Annual Absolutely Accessible Kent technical workshop. 

He provided many firsthand examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly of accessibility in the built environment, while engaging participants in lively conversation.   

Steve's expertise, as well as lived experience as a care provider, provides an unparalleled perspective on the need for considering the dignity and inclusion of people with disabilities from the onset of design work. 

He empowered designers and planners to create places that are inclusive for people with disabilities.  

Wright drove home the essential point that design for people with disabilities isn't about building codes and technical terms- it's about dignity and inclusion. 

He is an ideal keynote speaker for any organization that wants to ensure that Accessibility is a core part of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion so that we make the world a better, more inclusive place for all. 

–David Bulkowski, J.D., Executive Director, Disability Advocates of Kent County.

I have covered planning and urban design as a journalist for 35 years. I have worked directly in the field of planning, design, urbanism and policy for more than a quarter of a century. I will drive civic engagement of diverse audiences. My rates/expenses are reasonable. Contact me: stevewright64@yahoo.com

PROUD TO SPEAK AT ABSOLUTELY ACCESSIBLE KENT

KEYNOTING TO A PACKED HOUSE IN GRAND RAPIDS 

It was one of the great honors of my life to speak at Absolutely Accessible Kent, a marquee event on inclusion and design – hosted by the brilliant Disability Advocates of Kent County.

That non-profit is based in a city of about 200,000 within a county of more than 650,000 – but it delivers a world class event that is the envy of the greatest capitals of the world.

I was thrilled to be on the same bill as Noam Platt, Healthcare Architect/Assistive Technology Inventor/Startup Founder.

Randy Lewis, former Senior Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain at Walgreens, who created an award-winning hiring program featuring people with disabilities, also spoke. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book No Greatness Without Goodness.

I hope this is just the beginning.

I hope to collaborate with DAKC’s brilliant Dave Bulkowski, Peggy Helsel, Kim Davey, Nathan Slauer and incomparable Patrick Parkes – who invited me and was my point person for smooth audio visuals, logistics and support.

I know that far beyond the home of 38th President Gerald Ford and a host of major companies, Disability Advocates of Kent County’s practices can have a major impact on inclusive planning, urban design, architecture, transit and policy.

 

 

https://www.dakc.us/our-team/

THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE

UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND THE AIA

I have worked for more than a decade to get AIA continuing credit for my Universal Design presentation.

The American Planning Association has done so, but this is the first by the American Institute of Architects.

A full hour credit for my 55-minute program.

https://www.aia.org/events/6634919-fifth-annual-absolutely-accessible-kent-te

UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND URBAN DESIGN PODCAST

ABSOLUTELY ACCESSIBLE KENT

So proud to be a part of Absolutely Accessible Kent. 

Check out this podcast.

I explain why Universal Design is a must in Urban Design.

Episode 28: Accessibility in a Global Context.

Host Nathan Slauer discusses accessibility practices with Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist Steve Wright.

Yours truly also drops seafood recommendations in Lisbon, bagel and schmear thoughts for NYC and Monkfish in Istanbul.

Plus some mangled attempts at pronouncing Turkish and Portuguese.

Fun fun fun.

https://www.dakc.us/2023/05/episode-28-accessibility-in-a-global-context/