OUR TEAM

Darby Lee Young, ADAC

Founder and Principal Accessibility Strategist

Certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC)

IOC (International Olympic Committee) Safeguarding Officer Certificate 2023

Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

“The moment there is the slightest barrier, my independence is gone.”

Darby’s ultimate goal has been to blend her personal lived experience with her professional career as an Accessibility Changemaker. Born with mild cerebral palsy, she has transformed her unique perspective into a valuable asset. Her background, which includes political appointments, a competitive career as a para-alpine skier, and certification as an ADA Coordinator, provides her with a powerful lens through which she approaches accessibility projects. Additionally, Darby’s involvement in Venue Management School has further enhanced her expertise in creating accessible environments.

Through Level Playing Field (LPF), Darby has expanded her reach, offering her expertise to a broader range of clients. Her work in integrating universal design in new constructions and conducting accessibility assessments of proposed and existing facilities has made a significant difference for many people with disabilities. LPF’s efforts have led to the removal of barriers at municipal, provincial, and national levels, helping to create more inclusive environments.

Her political roles have included serving on the City of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA) from 2011 to 2015, where she held the co-chair position for two years, and representing Calgary at the International Summit on Accessibility in 2014. From June 2017 to June 2020, Darby served on the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Over the past seven years, Darby has been honored with various accolades. In 2018, she was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. In February 2020, John Fluevog Shoes launched the “Darby” Shoes, now available in multiple colors. She was also recognized as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence 2021. Through her work, Darby continues to break down barriers for persons with disabilities, both professionally and personally, striving to make a lasting impact.

In her free time, Darby is a regular at sporting events, especially hockey, tennis, and chuckwagon racing. She enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations with a focus on accessibility. Darby is always there to support her friends and family, cheering them on in their various pursuits. She is also certified as an IOC Safeguarding Officer, further demonstrating her commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments.

Thea Kurdi

Accessibility Education and Policy Strategist

Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments Level 2 – Expert (IAAP)

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Affiliate

Dip. Arch. Tech

Kurdi has been a trusted and respected built environment accessibility and universal design consultant and post secondary educator for the last 24 years for hundreds of architectural and urban planning projects of varying size and complexity. Known for her honesty and passion for disability equity, she has worked on accessibility drawing reviews, building audits, writing and illustrating client design standards, while also creating and delivering many accessible and universal design courses and education materials.

Thea lives with several invisible disabilities as do 75% of all disabled people. She prefers identify first language as her disabilities are integral to who she is and how she sees the world. Thea has been a frequent invited guest speaker at government events, conferences internationally, nationally and locally, as well as at schools of architecture and interior design programs. She has been a contributing author for many industry references and guidelines and the creator of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) Introduction to Successful Accessible Design course. She has also written many articles for magazines, been interviewed by the press on accessibility issues including CTV’s Your Morning, a recurring guest on TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, and for two years was a monthly universal design contributor to AMI’s Now with Dave Brown Show. In the past, Thea has also served as a board member for ArtsBuild Ontario and the Universal Design Network of Canada.

Thea has focused her career on helping clients create beautiful, inclusive and universal designs that focus on use-ability; designs that are actually better design for everyone, that respond to our rapidly aging population and intersectionality, but most importantly, comply with the Human Rights Code. Thea believes nothing is smarter, a better investment, or more sustainable than accessibility.

The future is accessible and Thea has dedicated her career to helping make that happen as soon as possible.

Kristin Westlake

Accessibility Lead
Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

Kristin has over 9 years of combined experience. She worked 7 years as a commercial interior designer until her passion for universal design led her to Level Playing Field. She has been on the project team for many centres related to Healthcare, Senior’s care, Recovery and Community Health, among others.

Kristin received her Bachelor of Applied Interior Design from Mount Royal University in 2013 as well as her registration through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She is also a designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) professional.

Kristin’s passion for accessibility stems from a young age with her mom working as a nurse with Alzheimer’s patients. She has had many experiences working in senior’s homes and has always been an advocate for universal, inclusive design. Whether a person has a physical disability, cognitive or visual impairment, are aging, or a parent struggling to get a stroller through snow at an intersection, it is imperative that everyone has the same opportunity.

In her personal time, she enjoys many outdoor activities such as biking and playing sports. She loves sculpting, photography, and digital art as well as building old cars. She is also a master train set builder for her 4-year-old son Jax.

Corinne Osmanski

Accessibility Strategist

Corinne Osmanski recently joined the LPF team in September 2023. Her diverse experience in construction, historic restoration, and architecture has shaped a unique perspective of design around the built environment. She believes spaces should be better equipped to provide communities with equitable opportunities, inclusive to all. She seeks to understand the ethos around current building practices and that argues accessibility should be at the forefront of any project. She knows that consciously integrating universal design solutions will help mitigate challenges people face in their everyday lives.

Corinne completed her Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary in 2023. Previously, she acquired her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Boise State University, where her love of design, art, and construction was fostered. Post undergrad, she worked as an architectural conservator restoring historic masonry buildings in Chicago, Illinois where she became interested in how the built environment has changed over time and wondered what potential there is to build a better future for all members of society.

Corinne is fascinated with all aspects of design; from architecture to grand urban realm projects, Corinne believes design exists to serve people. Design should be convenient, efficient, and sustainable. She is passionate about contributing to spaces that are inclusive and accessible. Corinne recognizes design is not just the physical manifestation of an idea, it is the way people interact and navigate the world around them. She hopes her input on designs will positively impact society now and in the future.

In her personal time, Corinne enjoys researching topics relating to social and environmental sustainability. Corinne’s long-time passion is building projects from reclaimed materials; she sees the potential in the discarded and unused. When she is not making something, she can be found puzzling, hanging out with her cats, or doing something active outside.