About Us

Mission

Connecting arts and culture organizations with the information and resources needed to improve accessibility for people of all abilities

Vision

All people with disabilities are an integral part of King County’s arts and culture arena

The People Behind The Scenes

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©Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation/Charina Pitzel

ELIZABETH RALSTON (she/her)
Founder, Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium

Elizabeth Ralston (she/her) is a consultant working at the intersection of community health, nonprofits and accessibility. She has over 25 years of experience working with nonprofits, government agencies, and academic institutions. She has a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and a certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington. Her expertise is in maximizing organizations’ success through program development, strategic communications, and event planning, all with an eye on accessibility.

Elizabeth’s creation of the Consortium emerged from deep listening to the cultural community and people with disabilities about the gaps in accessibility. She brings a unique perspective to her work on accessibility, through the lens of her public health training as well as lived experience as a person with a disability.

As a deaf woman who uses cochlear implants to hear, Elizabeth faces accessibility challenges every single day. Her hearing loss never stopped her from achieving her life goals. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, Africa, she saw first-hand the powerful impact a person can have on others’ lives. She has devoted her life to public service ever since.

LILY RYBARCZYK (she/her)
Program & Operations Manager

Lily Rybarczyk (she/her) is a communications and marketing professional with experience in events and public relations. She began her career coordinating behavior change marketing and events campaigns at a social cause agency in Seattle before making the transition to the nonprofit world. She first became interested in cultural accessibility at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, where she worked to support and incorporate accessible initiatives into the marketing strategy. At the Trust, she supported an Autism-friendly performance of Wicked, marketed sensory-friendly shows in partnership with the education team, and improved website accessibility. Since leaving the Trust, she has continued to explore the intersection of culture and sustainability, incorporating access into her roles wherever possible, including writing the Cultural Access newsletter for the Kennedy Center Office of VSA and Accessibility. 

Lily graduated from Franklin University Switzerland with a degree in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, which allowed her to examine culture, space, and place on an international level.

SCAC Committee
Committee Members: artists, people with disabilities, arts administrators and staff, family members of people with disabilities, and staff from other nonprofits.

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TANJA BAUMANN (she/her)
Director of Communications & Public Relations, Henry Art Gallery

Tanja is a museum professional with more than twenty years of experience in the nonprofit world. She currently serves as the Director of Communications & Public Relations at the Henry Art Gallery, a contemporary art museum based at the University of Washington. As a consultant, she has worked with clients such as the Frye Art Museum, the Burke Museum, Seattle Art Fair, and the City of Bellevue on a wide range of projects, including strategic planning and audience engagement. Tanja has also served as a guest lecturer and instructor in the Museum Studies Program at the University of Washington. By being a part of the Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium, she strives to help support a more inclusive Seattle where everyone has access to art.

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MONIQUE COURCY (she/her)
Executive Director, TeenTix

Monique is the Executive Director of TeenTix, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization working to promote accessibility and inclusion of youth in the arts and cultural sector by empowering teens to take an active role as audience members, critics, influencers, advocates, patrons, and leaders. Monique came to Seattle in 2005 as an aspiring young artist from Central Washington, and after earning a BA in Dance at the University of Washington, an MFA in Arts Leadership at Seattle University, and spending six years working at On the Boards, has found joy and excitement in creating space, pathways, and community for young people interested in all genres of arts and culture. She is thrilled to be a part of SCAC, to better advocate for people of all ages with disabilities in the creative community.

Alicia, with long, light brown hair, looks at the camera with a slight smile. She wears an orange tank top and a black cardigan with embroidered flowers. One hand holds a glass necklace at her chest.

ALICIA DIAMOND (she/her)
Communications Specialist, Urban ArtWorks

Alicia Diamond, a digital media maven, storyteller, and content creator, brings a unique blend of community collaboration, strategic storytelling, and creative prowess to her work. After earning her degree in Photojournalism from Columbia College, Chicago, Alicia moved to the vibrant city of Brooklyn, New York, where she learned the profound impact of storytelling within empowered communities. Now based in Seattle, Alicia's diverse portfolio spans nationally recognized grassroots organizations, small businesses, and artists. As a Communication Specialist at Urban ArtWorks, Alicia continues to weave her passion for communication and creativity into Seattle's artistic and community landscape. Urban ArtWorks envisions a world where all people have access to the transformative power of creating public art. Alicia’s favorite things are using emerging technologies and traditional processes to amplify stories of courage, culture, and community. With a history of collaboration with the Chief Seattle Club, Native Works, and the Yarrow Project, Alicia is dedicated to bringing authentic voices to the forefront to usher in positive change in communities and inspire collective action.

ID: A white woman with red hair and blue-grey eyes smiles at the camera while wearing a silver necklace and black tank top. There are botanical tattoos on her right arm, and she’s sitting on the floor with a wooden floor and white walls behind her.

DAYTONA DANIELSEN (she/her)
Director of Marketing and Patron Experience, Taproot Theatre

Daytona leads Marketing & Patron Experience at Taproot Theatre, where her team looks after every part of a patron's visit, from the first poster they see at a coffee shop to the moment they sit down for the show. She began her career as a journalist, writing and producing morning newscasts, before trading breaking news for stories of hope at Taproot, where she has served as Communications Manager and now Director of Marketing & Patron Experience. A Seattle-area native, she holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Seattle Pacific University. Accessibility is personal to her as neurodivergence and chronic illness run in her own family, and she's committed to doing her part to make arts and culture more accessible, hospitable, kind, and inclusive for everyone.

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OLIVIA GELDER (she/her)
Operations Manager – Live Nation, Chateau Ste. Michelle

Olivia is a live entertainment professional with eight years at Live Nation under her belt. Over those years, she has worked in six states at ten different Live Nation venues across several different roles in the live music industry. Upon assuming the role of Operations Manager at Chateau Ste. Michelle Amphitheatre in Woodinville, WA, Olivia was introduced to the wonderful world of concert accessibility. Ever since then, she has been engaged in making concert venues a space where everyone can feel safe, welcome, and supported while enjoying live music.

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EVA DELEON (she/her)
CEO & Founder, EquityWorks Accessibility Alliance, LLC.

Eva L. Deleon, MA, CRC, ADAC, is the CEO and Founder of EquityWorks Accessibility Alliance, LLC (EWAA), a consulting firm specializing in accessibility services for public agencies, education systems, healthcare, cultural institutions, and correctional facilities. With more than 25 years of experience in accessibility, employment services, and disability-related programs, Eva provides expertise in architectural accessibility, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans, Universal Design and inclusive practices, program and policy compliance, and customized training.

Before launching EWAA, Eva served in multiple leadership roles at the University of Washington’s Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation (CCER), including Assistant Director of the Northwest ADA Center, Director of Accessible Design and Innovative Inclusion, and CCER Assistant Director of Programs. She has led regional and national projects focused on ADA compliance, vocational rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury in corrections, and systems improvement across government and community partners.

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BEAN FAIRBANKS (she/her)
Path to Art Ambassador and Disability Advocate

Bean Fairbanks is a visual artist living with MS. Her artwork has graced journal covers, art shows and gifts, locally and internationally. She brings her firsthand experience of navigating the Seattle art scene with a wheelchair and service dog.. She knows the challenges and isolation that often arise in negotiating such access. A long-term disability advocate, Bean is especially passionate about increasing accessibility in Seattle’s art schools. Continued learning mitigates cognitive decline, but disabilities increase with age. She brings her experience as an artist, and over 10 years of non-profit administration, to SCAC advisory board.

ID: A white woman with short wavy brown hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and brown eyes smiles at the camera. She wears a light denim shirt with white buttons, which are buttoned to the top of the collar.

ALEX HARDING (she/her)
Production Manager, Friends of Waterfront Park

Alex Harding is a production manager at Friends of Waterfront Park in Seattle, Washington, where she brings her passion for accessible and inclusive events to the free summer programming at Waterfront Park. She has previously worked as a technician and stage manager at local performance spaces like On The Boards, Edmonds Center for the Arts, and University of Washington. Alex is honored to be on the SCAC Committee. 

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TIFFANY HERNANDEZ (she/her)
Guest Experience Manager, Tacoma Venue & Events

Tiffany Hernandez is the Guest Experience Manager at Tacoma Venues & Events, where she leads guest experience and accessibility initiatives for the Tacoma Dome and Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she is passionate about advancing accessibility in live events through thoughtful planning, staff training, and practical operational solutions that improve the experience for guests of all abilities. Tiffany believes accessibility goes beyond compliance, it should be intentionally woven into every aspect of the guest experience, creating environments where every guest feels welcomed, supported, and included.

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ALEXANDER JONES (he/him)
Senior Strategist of Accessibility and Inclusion, People & Culture,
Woodland Park Zoo

Alexander Jones was hired at the end of 2020 as the Learning Accessibility Specialist, a position funded by an Institute for Museum and Library Sciences grant to carry out the Guest Inclusion Program. The Guest Inclusion Program is focused on creating inclusive programming across the zoo based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning. Alexander joined the zoo from The Outdoors for All Foundation, where he created immersive programs for participants. He is passionate about accessibility and how it intersects with engaging individuals in a learning environment.

Emily P. Lawsin, a Filipina woman with light skin, straight, chin-length black hair with gray highlights, is smiling and standing with her left hand on her hip in front of a sky blue background.

Photo by Sunita Martini for 4Culture. 

EMILY P. LAWSIN (she/her/siya)
Historic Preservation Program Manager, 4Culture

Emily P. Lawsin is Historic Preservation Program Manager at 4Culture, where she manages Preservation Special Projects, Landmark Nomination Support, and Equipment for Organizations grants, as well as the Beyond Integrity program. Emily is National President Emerita of the Filipino American National Historical Society and co-author of Filipino Women in Detroit. For 30 years, she taught Asian American Studies at universities in California and the Midwest. As the parent and guardian of a child and sibling who have developmental disabilities, she is an advocate for inclusion and disability justice and currently serves on the Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium (SCAC) Committee. An oral historian and spoken word poet, she has performed on radio and stage throughout the U.S.  

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NATE PEEK (he/him)
Chief of Installation, Design and Registration, Seattle Art Museum

Nate Peek is Chief of Installation, Design and Registration at the Seattle Art Museum where he oversees the creation and installation of all temporary exhibitions and changes to the permanent collection galleries. Since joining the Senior Leadership Team, two years ago, Nate has reignited the Accessibility Committee with other enthusiastic staff to begin pushing for changes to the building, changes to exhibition planning and to strengthen staff training in the field of accessibility. Nate is new to SCAC and is looking forward to learning more and collaborating with other committee members.

ID: Miles takes a selfie overlooking a white building with a rounded teal roof. He is a white male with round glasses, reddish-brown hair and facial hair.

MILES SCHLAGEL (he/him)
Jewelry/Metals and Stone Studio Manager, and Accessibility Coordinator, Pratt Fine Arts Center

Miles is an arts administrator and visual artist dedicated to creating equitable, high-quality arts experiences where all people feel welcome and authentically engaged. Miles is a Studio Manager and Accessibility Coordinator at Pratt Fine Arts Center as well as a Visitor Services Representative at the Frye Art Museum. He holds a BFA in Visual Art from Boise State University and an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University. With more than 13 years of experience managing galleries, art studios, and education programs - and over 7 years working at the intersection of visual arts and special education - Miles brings a depth of expertise and a warm, inclusive approach to the Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium Committee.

Tiffany (she/her), a half Japanese woman in her mid 40s stands outside smiling. She has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a dark pink v-neck shirt

TIFFANY SPARKS-KEENEY (she/her)
Inclusive Arts Consultant, Sensory Sensitive Specialist and Occupational Therapist

Dr. Tiffany Sparks-Keeney’s passion is expanding organizations’ visions of accessibility to encompass the full range of human diversity. Through her consulting practice, Inclusive Arts OT (inclusiveartsot.org) Tiffany helps organizations consider the broad spectrum of barriers to arts participation and develop and implement practices, programs and performances that welcome people of all abilities and identities. She considers her work to be the perfect synthesis of her education (B.S.-Dance in Theater, MOT- Occupational Therapy, EdD- Educational Leadership), her work experience in those areas, her lived experience as a biracial, neurodiverse person with a disability, and her passion for social justice and equity.

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MARLEE SQUIRES (she/her)
Accessibility & Events Coordinator, The 5th Avenue Theatre

Marlee is a non-profit professional with the 5th Avenue Theatre and a multi-hyphenated theatre artist. Co-founder of IDEA for the Arts, she leads a monthly community group for Seattle-based performing arts organizations focused on Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Accessibility efforts. Access in and around the arts is paramount to her personal artistic mission. Art is for all.

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MARGARET TOOMEY (she/they)
Managing Director, Studio East
Director of Operations and Production, Mirror Stage

Margaret Toomey is the Managing Director at Studio East in Kirkland and has over twenty years of experience as a theater artist, educator, and arts administrator. They also serve as Director of Operations and Production for Mirror Stage and sit on the board of Macha Theatre, both small nonprofit theatre companies. Margaret holds a B.A. in Theatre from Grinnell College and an M.F.A. in Theatrical Design from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Margaret is an award-winning designer dedicated to fostering accessible, just, and inclusive creative spaces. Their design work has been featured with companies including Seattle Shakespeare, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Taproot Theatre, Sound Theatre, Seattle Public Theater, and the National Women’s Theatre Festival.

Margaret's commitment to an arts ecosystem rooted in accessibility, equity, and inclusion can be traced to the three years they worked at artEquity with Carmen Morgan, and two years of supporting the Arts Learning Community for Universal Access at Raleigh Arts with S.A. Corrin.