A Path Forward: Summer 2024 Lecture

A Presentation Webinar by Alexa Vaughn, ASLA, FAAR; Laurie Matthews, FASLA; and Monica Rhodes, FAAR

Stewardship of historic landscapes and the inclusion of disabled people traditionally clash: Why is this? How can more landscape architects learn the preservation skills to uphold the character and experience of cultural landscapes while improving accessibility? In this presen tation, experts will share successful methods used in projects that bridge the gap between historic preservation and accessibility; case studies from National Parks and Olmsted-de signed landscapes will be explored. This lecture is moderated by Ian Scherling, ASLA, PLA, Associate Principal, Landscape Architect at Sasaki.

Alexa Vaughn, ASLA, FAAR is a deaf landscape designer, accessibility specialist, Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, and PhD student at UCLA. She has extensive expertise in designing for the deaf community, facilitation of disabled community engagement, and deep knowledge and passion for the ADA and Universal Design.

Laurie Matthews, FASLA is Director of Preservation Planning + Design at MIG and a nationally recognized expert on cultural landscapes. Her work has helped rehabilitate some of the most iconic historic places in the country, such as Yosemite National Park, Willamette Falls, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Monica Rhodes, FAAR is an international award-winning cultural preservationist who has made significant contributions at the intersection of history, policy, and civic engagement. She has established programs at national organizations to advance socially and economically inclusive preservation practices.

This lecture is an opportunity for Continuing Educational Units

For design practitioners, we are delighted to inform you that this course has been submitted for LA CES credits. We have highlighted some of the learning objectives:

— Garnering a better understanding of why historic preservation and accessibility have traditionally clashed

— Learning to actively include disabled stakeholders in the design and preservation process

— Discovering methodology to address gaps between preservation and accessible design, in both legal requirements and design principles

— Becoming familiar with case studies of historic and cultural preservation projects that have successfully created accessibility and inclusion

(Photo Source: Towpath Trial, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (NPS))