Accessible Design: Curb Ramps, Ramps, and Elevators

BJ Dietz Epstein holds a master's degree in architecture (M.Arch) from Iowa State University. The major emphasis of her studies there was accessibility. Working with Dr. Arvid Osterberg, author of Access for Everyone, she developed training materials for accessibility to teach students, architects, building inspectors, and facilities, planning, and management staff. Ms. Epstein has ten years of experience in the field of accessibility. She currently works for the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, as an Accessible Media Specialist. There, she creates audio tactile maps as wayfinding solutions for people who are blind or visually impaired. She also performs accessibility compliance checks for signage, and consults with museums, parks, and businesses to ensure that they go above and beyond for their patrons with disabilities. Ms. Epstein brings a passion for accessibility to her work, as well as the ability to translate from legalese into layman's terms. She is well versed in the ADA Standards, as well as the California Building Codes pertaining to accessibility. She wants to make accessibility easy to understand and easy to implement.