During their visit, members of LSL Class 50 toured Starkloff’s offices, where they met our team of professionals with disabilities, including quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, and low vision. We shared our personal stories, career paths, and demonstrated the assistive technologies that enables us to excel in our roles.

For many of our visitors, these tours are their first time seeing people with disabilities thriving in a professional environment.

Our goal is simple: dispel common misconceptions about the capabilities of disabled people and highlight how minor adjustments—such as voice recognition software or ergonomic workstations—can make a significant difference. Through conversations and demonstrations, visitors learn how accommodations are often inexpensive and easy to implement, challenging the stereotype that accessibility is costly or complex.

The impact is profound. Our guests leave with a new perspective about disability and the importance of creating workplaces that foster inclusion.

We are currently working on an exciting project that goes beyond accommodations, using Universal Design to showcase modern, stylish workplaces that work better for all employees. Stay tuned!

Universal Design, a foundational element of our mission, is a design philosophy that creates environments and products accessible to everyone, regardless of age, size, or ability.

Unlike conventional ADA-compliant construction, which often treats accessibility as an afterthought, Universal Design integrates accessibility seamlessly into the design process, creating spaces that are welcoming and functional for all.

Universal Design goes beyond compliance, offering solutions that benefit everyone. For example, St. Louis landmarks like the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and Gateway Arch Museum have been renovated using Universal Design principles, providing a more welcoming and engaging experience for all visitors. These spaces demonstrate how thoughtful design can enhance usability and accessibility without compromising aesthetics.

Starkloff has been a leader in promoting Universal Design, hosting the biennial Universal Design Summit, North America’s premier conference on the subject. The Summit showcases innovative strategies and universally designed facilities, providing actionable insights for architects, developers, and community leaders.

Disability touches all of us—whether directly or indirectly—and creating inclusive spaces benefits everyone. By embracing Universal Design and challenging stereotypes, we can break down barriers, end isolation, and build communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The collaboration between Leadership St. Louis and Starkloff Disability Institute highlights the importance of partnerships in driving social change. Together we can build a world where inclusion is not just a goal, but a reality woven into the fabric of our society.

Post photo: Members of Leadership St. Louis Class 50 with SDI’s Interim Program Director Katie Fields during their tour.