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Category: Behind the Scenes

The Kelsey & Urban Institute launch: Disability-Forward Housing Future – A Needs Definition and Case for Impact

The Kelsey partners with Urban Institute on a project entitled: Disability-Forward Housing Future – A Needs Definition and Case for Impact. The research will serve as a blueprint for what existing data tells us, what further research may be needed, and the broad-based policy solutions to meet the need. At key milestones, this project is being guided by a pilot Community Advisory Board, which you can learn more about in this post.

Video: Breaking ground in San Jose

A video recap of groundbreaking at The Kelsey Ayer Station in San Jose. Featuring remarks from Mayor Sam Liccardo, funding partners, and our Community Advisory Group.

Element of the Month: Path Slopes

This month’s Element of the Month, from The Kelsey’s amazing Summer Analysts, Michelle Eastman, whose central access needs are mobility and height. Her element, Path Slopes, is an example of a design choice with additional benefits.  An alternative to ramps or stairs, her element of choice creates comfort and ease of navigation in maneuvering spaces. Path Slopes don’t only support mobility and vision accessibility but also improve safety for all residents and guests.

Element of the Month: People with Disabilities Represented on the Project Team

This month’s Element of the Month is from Erick Mikiten of Mikiten Architecture. Erick was a key consultant in developing the Housing Design Standards for Accessibility and Inclusion and has been an architect on many disability-forward housing communities. As a person with multiple disabilities and a designer, Erik believes “that to have an inclusive project, you need an inclusive process.” Read more about the element he values: People with Disabilities Represented on the Project Team.

Sandra Conley

We’re excited to welcome Sandra to our team as a Summer Associate and AAPD Intern. Sandra will be working on advocacy and field building projects to support inclusive, accessible, and affordable housing. She brings rich lived-experience and expertise to our work.

Element of the Month: Reach Requirements

The Kelsey created The Housing Design Standards for Accessibility and Inclusion while building disability-forward housing at The Kelsey Ayer Station in San Jose. This month’s Element of the Month is from Diane Dittmar, our project manager and Vice President at Sares Regis Group. Here she shares a simple but impactful element that can be applied in housing projects regardless of budget: Reach Requirements.

Element of the Month: Dual Handrails

When you apply elements from The Housing Design Standards for Accessibility and Inclusion you can support housing stability in many ways. Whether supporting a person with mobility disabilities like Fatimah shares, helping someone age in place, or making a space more usable and safe for all people. Learn more about Fatimah, who manages the Housing Design Standards work at The Kelsey, and an element she values: Dual Handrails.

Off-Kilter Podcast

The Kelsey is excited to be working with the Century Foundation’s new Disability Justice Economic team.  As we begin that work, Micaela Connery, Allie Cannington and Fatimah Aure were featured on the Century Foundation’s “Off Kilter” Podcast where they discussed The Kelsey’s work and how we are working to change housing policy by centering the voices and needs of people with disabilities. 

Ari Katz

As a proud member of the disability community, Ari is committed to advancing disability justice and is thrilled to be part of an organization that shares that goal.