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With 10+ years of experience leading various design and drafting projects in support of major accessibility initiatives, I am a CASp-certified professional with a passion for beautiful, sustainable architecture.
I have a well-rounded background spearheading award-winning, community-changing projects. Some of my recent initiatives include improving accessibility of trailheads for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, as well as multiple BART Stations and Muni underground stations throughout the SF Bay area.
Credentials:
· Master’s in Architecture
· Certified Access Specialist, CASp-857
· National Certification in Unified English Braille
Specialties: Universal design, purpose-driven architecture, designing accessible communities, project management, blueprint schematics, model making, manual drafting, creative and contemporary design, sustainable design, training and development, communications, relationship building, Unified English Braille.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, San Francisco, CA, US, Senior Designer
Promoted multiple times within this nonprofit founded in 1902 to provide education, training, advocacy, and community for blind individuals. Executing various architecture-adjacent design roles. Mentoring, training, and directing a team of high-performance designers, transcribers, and production staff.
Spearheading the design, planning, and execution of tactile graphics and maps for major buildings and landmarks. Orchestrating accessible signage training for internal team and community members.
Led a comprehensive project to improve accessibility of trailheads for Golden Gate National Recreation Area (15 maps); worked collaboratively with design team and client over the course of a year to create in-place tactile maps, UV printed for outdoor use.
Planned and executed the design of audio-tactile large print, high-contrast, and braille maps of 44 BART Stations and 9 Muni underground stations to work with LiveScribe Echo SmartPens. Additional projects of impact included: UC Berkeley Campus Audio-Tactile Maps; Microsoft Redmond Campus In-Place Maps.
Serving as Compliance Subject Matter Expert: Go-to resource leading the inspection of accessible signage for compliance with ADA Standards/California Building Code (CBC).
Self-Employed, Oakland, CA, US, Designer/Accessibility Consultant
Leading all facets of this self-built design consulting firm serving variety of organizations across Northern California. Working closely with clients to gather, analyze, and translate needs into architecture and design consulting solutions. Developing and delivering various trainings as an accessibility subject matter expert.
Sally Swanson Architects, Inc., San Francisco, CA, US, Architecture/Access Compliance Intern
Built accessibility surveys and proposed solutions for educational clients and government entities for this architecture firm founded in 1980 with two practices: ADA Access Compliance and Civic/Educational Design. Supported business development efforts by creating marketing materials and designing proposals.
Iowa State University, College of Design, Ames, IA, US, Research & Marketing Assistant
Updated and improved code references and diagrams. Created training materials for and delivered training to students, faculty, architects, and building officials.
Iowa State University College of Design, Ames, IA, US, MArch, Architecture
Masters in Architecture, focus on accessibility.
Study Abroad in Rome, Italy, Spring 2007.
University of Redlands, Redlands, CA, US, Bachelors, Johnston Center - Multi-media Entertainment
Self-designed major of Multi-media Entertainment. Included theatre (acting, directing, stage managing, technical crew) and video production (writing, directing, producing, editing).
