University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - (dis)Ability Design Studio

"Joining the (dis)Ability Design Studio feels like coming home. When I first arrived in the United States in 2007 as an international student, I had the privilege of learning about disability and empathic design from Dr. Deana McDonagh at UIUC. Those experiences profoundly shaped my perspective and set the course for my life’s work.

After spending a decade in the design industry in New York City, I returned to academia to continue this empathic journey—because it is truly my calling. Now, more than ever, I feel the urgency to carry forward this mindset and methodology in both my teaching and practice: to design with care, empathy, and integrity.

It is an honor to return to where it all began. Thank you, Deana, for lighting the path".