Join our team at the upcoming Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability Conference in Cleveland presented by the Kennedy Center. Associate and Designer Aaron Wong, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, will share his expertise in three dynamic sessions focused on accessibility and inclusive design in cultural spaces.

• Forum: Cultural Spaces Design
  August 22, 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
  This interactive forum invites creative problem-solvers to explore the challenges and opportunities of designing cultural spaces, both new and renovated. Topics include balancing modern needs with historic preservation, enhancing communication and physical access, and navigating what often gets overlooked in the design and construction process. Bring your questions and insights or simply listen in as our diverse panel of experts share stories and strategies from the field. Aaron will be accompanied by Michelle Cook, inclusive design specialist at the Smithsonian Institution, Maddie Daily, senior consultant at Threshold, and Judith Evans, writer/editor at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History..

• Workshop: Access Lab: Reading Architectural Plans
  August 21, 3:55 PM – 1:50 PM
  Need help making sense of architectural drawings, especially when it comes to evaluating accessibility? This hands-on workshop will equip you with practical tools, tips, and confidence to interpret plans for new builds and renovations. Aaron will lead this workshop alongside Betty Siegel, director of accessibility and VSA at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Charles Baldwin, program officer III at the Mass Cultural Council.

• Session: Foundations of Access: The Built Environment
  August 20, 4:10 PM – 5:25 PM
  Ensuring physical accessibility in cultural spaces is a shared responsibility. This foundational session demystifies accessibility standards for the built environment and empowers participants with the knowledge to create inclusive experiences. Learn how compliant design, routine maintenance, and transparent communication help everyone access and enjoy your programs. Aaron will present with Annie Leist, associate educator, community & access programs at The Museum of Modern Art.