Groups Left Behind in Design

Who gets left behind when we design?

Disabled communities. People of different races, religions, and genders. Entire groups of people are routinely left out of the design process—and most designers don’t even realize it’s happening.

This free 90-minute webinar is changing that conversation.

Guest experts (bios down below): Aja Black • Allison Brewer • Kevin Symons • Jia Wilson

Join us and dig into why Universal Design isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a necessity. We’re talking real talk about real barriers, and what it actually takes to build a more inclusive world.

You’ll leave knowing:

Which groups often get overlooked in design (and why)
How Universal Design ≠ ADA compliance
What you can do right now to make your work more inclusive

Bring your questions—there’s a live Q&A built right in.

Ready to design for everyone?

This event is FREE and open to the public!

Event Details

Time and Date:

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

1:00 – 2:30 pm CDT

Location:

Zoom webinar

ASL:

This event will have ASL interpretation.

Meet the Experts

Aja Black

Human-Centric Ergonomist

Aja Black is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with four years of experience and a Certified Associate Ergonomist (CAE). Originally from South Carolina and now based in Maryland, Aja has been studying and implementing ergonomics for nearly two years, combining her clinical background with a deep interest in creating healthier, more supportive work environments.

She conducts both in-person and virtual ergonomic evaluations, identifies risk factors, and provides tailored recommendations to improve comfort and productivity. Aja is also passionate about education and outreach. She delivers trainings and webinars that empower professionals across the United States to apply ergonomic principles in their daily work.

Connect with Aja on LinkedIn.

Allison Brewer

Assistant Vice President of Strategic Initiatives • Saint Louis University

Allison Brewer, M.A.T., (they/them), is an advocate and expert in the field of special education, cross-categorical disabilities, and applied accessibility as a community-based practice. Brewer is an openly disabled administrator and identifies as autistic and has narcolepsy with cataplexy. It is the combined lived and professional expertise that led Allison to launch Voice(Is), a disability-led consulting business.

As a public speaker and/or educational advocate, they’ve led or attended ~1,500 IEPs and 504-related meetings, trained educators/support staff in 200 schools across 90 districts and 10 different states. Allison began their journey as a special educator across north St. Louis, where partnering with families to build education equity led to building a collective national network of self and community advocates.

Gaining an M.A.T. in cross-categorical disabilities from Webster University helped ground them as an advocate when they needed it the most—through the protection of their own civil rights after facing disability discrimination in the workplace. As a leader in the field, Allison has served as an expert witness in a number of due process cases, working alongside families and civil rights attorneys holding our learning institutions accountable.

Connect with Allison on LinkedIn.

Kevin Symons, AIA

Senior Associate • Mackey Mitchell

Kevin started his career over 20 years ago, just when architectural CAD technology started shifting towards BIM modeling. Kevin joined Mackey Mitchell in 2009 and currently serves as a Senior Associate and BIM Manager. It is sheer coincidence that he, an Illinois School for the Deaf and NTID/RIT graduate, joined a firm with experience in Deaf education projects. Seeing that as a calling, Kevin has contributed both his architectural and personal Deaf backgrounds with critical programming and innovative design insight on many of our Deaf education projects and work. Kevin has also served on committees and advisory boards at several Deaf schools which keep him informed of current trends and methodologies at Deaf schools around the country.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.

Jia Wilson

Landscape Design Project Associate • MIG

Jia Wilson, based in Berkeley, CA, US, is currently a Landscape Design Project Associate at MIG. Jia Wilson brings experience from previous roles at MSLA, Blasen Landscape Architecture, Perkins Eastman and The CIL (Center for Independent Living). Jia Wilson holds a 2016 – 2020 Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

Connect with Jia on LinkedIn.