Articles

UD&C Team

John P.S. Salmen, AIA

John P.S. Salmen, AIA, founder and president of Universal Designers & Consultants Inc., and publisher of the Universal Design Newsletter, is a licensed architect who has specialized in barrier free and universal design for more than 30 years. Salmen is an expert in the technical aspects of US accessibility regulations and an international leader in the field of Universal Design. John feels himself fortunate to be able to be passionate about his job. "I can not only design things to be more comfortable, safe and flexible for people, I can moreover, help promote an equitable society. By designing choice into the things we create, all people are enabled to reach their full potential. Enabling people to do things for themselves, unleashes tremendous power through human dignity," says John.

Salmen is one of the leading experts in the technical aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and an international leader in the field of Universal Design. Publisher of Universal Design Newsletter, Salmen has authored several books including: Accessible Architecture, The Do-Able Renewable Home, Accommodating All Guests and Everyone's Welcome. He has presented hundreds of Universal Design and accessibility seminars and keynote addresses throughout North America and the Pacific Rim.

Salmen is a voting member of the International Code Council/American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI) A117 Committee, the organization that administers and coordinates U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment systems, including standards for facilities for people with physical disabilities. He was the representative of the American Institute of Architects on the ADAAG Review Federal Advisory Committee and a voting delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. He currently serves as an appointed member of the Montgomery County Commission on People with Disabilities.

Having earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota, he is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. In addition, he is licensed to practice architecture in the State of Maryland. In his capacities as Technical Director of the National Center for a Barrier-Free Environment in Washington, DC and his tenure as Director of Technology & Information for the American Hotel & Motel Association, Salmen has been involved in all aspects of design for people with disabilities and older people. Today, Salmen devotes his time to code development, facility evaluation, design, construction, accessibility litigation, writing, research and teaching.

Professional Certifications and Affiliations

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certification
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• Maryland Architectural Registration
• American Institute of Architects Potomac Valley Chapter, Member
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives
• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA)

Awards and Recognition

• 2006 AIA Potomac Chapter, Paul Kea Medal for Service to the Profession
• ASID Certificate of Appreciation, 2002
• Ron Mace Designing for the 21st Century Award, Universal Design Newsletter 2000
• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) DC Chapter, Letter of Appreciation, 1996
• Progressive Architecture Citation, 1990
• ASID Human Environment Award, 1984

Andrew Yarrish, AIA

Andrew Yarrish, AIA is a licensed architect with more than 13 years of design and construction experience. Yarrish, who holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree, Magnum Cum Laude from Catholic University in Washington, DC, has experience working on a wide range of national and international new construction and renovation projects including embassies, consulates, offices, transportation facilities, and physical security. Prior to joining the UD&C team in 2003, Yarrish managed a three-year project to renovate the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, India. This work included surveying, design development, as well as construction management. He also performed site surveys and development of master plans for the U.S. Embassies in Madrid, Spain and in Niamey, Niger.

Yarrish has worked extensively in the transportation arena, including as the project manager for the addition of an underground pedestrian tunnel and elevator that was added to the Federal Triangle Metro Station in Washington, DC. His work with UD&C includes construction document review, surveying and assessing for accessibility, properties of various scales including boutique hotels, large resorts, and the country's largest assembly sporting venue. He is licensed to practice Architecture in the State of Maryland. He earned a certificate of attendance from the Texas Accessibility Academy in Austin, Texas. (Texas Accessibility Standards were certified equivalent to Title III requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.)

Professional Certifications and Affiliations

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Maryland Architectural Registration
• The Washington DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Member

Lee Swinscoe, CASp

ADA/FHA Accessibility Specialist Lee Swinscoe holds a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Maryland (UMd) and is currently working on a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Associated with UD&C since 2003, Swinscoe has been a fulltime team member since early 2006. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the UMd. Lee has embraced Universal Design, "I have found that people are not sensitive to the notions of accessibility and Universal Design until they experience it first hand. I want to be the conduit that helps people recognize that Universal Design is for everyone, every age, and every ability."

During his tenure with the company, Swinscoe has worked on a variety of projects, including those in the lodging, retail and housing arenas. He is responsible for conducting property surveys, reviewing plans and drafting reports. A former teaching assistant, Swinscoe also assists in the development of instructional material.

Professional Certifications and Affiliations

• American Institute of Architects Students, Community Service Chair, 2003-2004
• Certified Access Specialist Institute

Kim Ludwig

Kim Ludwig, the UD&C Office Manager, has been working with the company for 16 years. With more than 20 years of experience in the administrative field, Kim enjoys working in the Universal Design field because it strives to help people.

Monica Diggs-Jenkins

Administrative Assistant Monica Diggs-Jenkins, a Certified Paralegal, has been with UD&C for 11 years. "Universal Design is so important to me because it speaks to equality of use for all and I believe equal rights are undeniable. It's a fight against discrimination," says Diggs-Jenkins.

Maureen McKeron

Maureen holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Catholic University in Washington, DC. She recently completed the Master of Architecture degree at University of Maryland, College Park. Maureen's interest in Universal Design began while working on her graduate thesis project, the design of a multi-unit urban residence for individuals with Alzheimer's. Her research enlightened her to the importance of barrier-free environments, especially for America's ever-growing senior population.

Matthew Tierney

Bio to come

Consultants, Employees and Interns

At UD&C, we enhance our core team with expertise from our vast national network of connections within the accessibility consulting industry, partnering and collaborating with consultants with diverse expertise. If you are interested in working with UD&C, as a consultant, employee or intern, please contact us for more information.