An illustration of a life ring half-submerged in water with the text Deep Dive Day 2025

Jump Into Accessibility:
Deep Dive Day 2025

Thursday, October 16, 9:00am-4:00pm
Wyncote NW Forum, Town Hall Seattle

Registration for this event has now closed. If you would like to attend, please reach out to seattlecac@gmail.com.

Calling All Accessibility Advocates

Join SCAC on Thursday, October 16 from 9-4 pm at the Wyncote NW Forum at Town Hall Seattle for the 3rd annual Deep Dive Day conference to power up your accessibility skills! Due to overwhelming response from our community, we've expanded to a new, larger venue and extended the program to a full day of learning and connection. This enhanced format will allow us to accommodate more attendees and dive deeper into the topics that matter most to our accessibility community. This active learning opportunity will cover these important accessibility topics:

  • Building Bridges: Securing Buy-In for Accessibility in Arts Organizations

  • Lived Experience: Perspectives from the Disabled Community

  • An Equity Approach to Uplifting Disabled Voices

  • Reimagining a Relational Future: There Is No Me Without We

Each topic will be led by experts in the field, with the goal to provide practical tools that cultural professionals can apply to their accessibility strategies.

Lunch will be provided.

Tickets: Tickets cost $55.20 (includes fees and lunch). and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by October 12th. We want all folks interested in making accessibility a priority in your arts or cultural organization to attend. If cost is a barrier to your participation, we are providing 10 scholarship tickets first-come-first served. Preference will be given to those from arts and cultural organizations. Please contact seattlecac@gmail.com. Tickets include access to the opening keynote, all sessions, and lunch.

Accessibility: Captioning and ASL interpreters will be provided. Town Hall is an ADA accessible venue. The Town Hall Forum is looped. Please check the Town Hall website for more information.

For further accessibility information or to request additional accommodations, please contact us by email at seattlecac@gmail.com, we will work with you on any accessibility requests you may have.

Agenda

8:30-9:15 am
Registration and Networking

9:15-9:55 am
Welcome and Keynote
Alexander Jones, SCAC Committee member & Senior Strategist of Accessibility & Inclusion, Woodland Park Zoo
Emily Lawsin, Historic Preservation Program Manager, 4Culture

Teal Sherer, Actor, Writer, Advocate
Starting Somewhere: Lived Experience as a Path to Accessibility
In this keynote, Teal Sherer draws on her personal journey as a disabled actor and advocate to show how accessibility can be embedded into the fabric of organizations. From reconfiguring performance spaces to ensuring inclusive audience experiences, she will share candid stories of challenges, missteps, and successes—emphasizing that creating inclusive environments doesn’t require perfection, just action. Teal will set the stage and ground us all into visualizing a future where inclusion is the default, not the exception

9:55-10:00 am
Transition

10:00-10:55 am
Building Bridges: Securing Buy-In for Accessibility in Arts Organizations
Moderator: Inji Kamel, Middle and High School Program Manager, Urban ArtWorks
Panelists:
Jessica Lotz, Community Impact & Programs Coordinator, Friends of Waterfront Park
Patrick McMahon, Senior Manager, Visitor Experience and Engagement, Gates Foundation Discovery Center
Marlee Squires, Accessibility Coordinator, The Fifth Avenue Theatre
In this panel, leaders from arts organizations will share their journeys toward securing buy-in for accessibility, offering valuable insights on how to align teams and stakeholders around shared accessibility goals. The conversation will explore the challenges and triumphs in cultivating a culture of inclusion, from initial resistance to moments of breakthrough. Panelists will discuss real-world strategies that led to greater organizational commitment, the role of key players in driving change, and the crucial turning points that signaled progress. Through personal stories and examples, this session will provide actionable takeaways on how to foster organizational buy-in for accessibility, making it an integrated, long-term priority.

10:55am-11:10 am
Break

11:10am-11:55 am
Lived Experience: Perspectives from the Disabled Community
Moderator: Alexander Jones, SCAC Committee member & Senior Strategist of Accessibility & Inclusion, Woodland Park Zoo
Panelists:
Kirk Adams, Managing Director, Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting
Aimee Chou, Co-Chief Executive Officer, DeepSignAI
Amberlee Joers, Director of Education & Engagement, The Fifth Avenue Theatre
This panel brings together disabled patrons of cultural institutions who will share their personal experiences navigating and enjoying museums, zoos, aquariums, theaters, and other public spaces. Through storytelling and open dialogue, the panelists will highlight what makes these environments welcoming, meaningful, and inclusive—as well as the challenges that can create barriers to full participation. Their insights will offer cultural professionals a direct window into how design, programming, accessibility, and staff interactions shape the visitor experience. Conference attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the lived realities of patrons and practical ideas for fostering belonging, access, and joy within cultural spaces.

12:00-12:55 pm
Lunch

1:00-1:30 pm
Disabled List Comedy Show
Kayla Brown, Comedian
Dan Hurwitz, Comedian
The Disabled List is a collective of disabled comedians that has been performing in and around Seattle since 2018. Comedians Dan Hurwitz and Kayla Brown believe in the ability of comedy to build community and promote greater understanding into the lives of disabled people. Audiences should expect to hear stories, anecdotes, and wry observations that illuminate both the absurdity and ordinariness of everyday disabled life.

1:30-1:55 pm
An Equity Approach to Uplifting Disabled Voices
Grace Flott, Artist
After Seattle-based visual artist Grace Flott experienced an injury from a fire, she became interested in representation of bodies from a feminist disability justice lens. She wanted to understand more deeply what it meant to exist in a world with a visible difference and how that contrasts with society's socially constructed views of normalcy. Flott will share her experience accessing art and how she approached relationship-building with other disabled individuals to be represented in her art.

1:55-2:00 pm
Transition

2:00-3:00 pm
UnConference Discussions
The Unconference session provides an opportunity for the community to connect on a deeper level with presenters by sharing ideas, asking questions, and discussing challenges. We will all work together to develop action steps to implement at our own organizations. Attendees are invited to write down questions or ideas on 3x5 notecards placed at their seats. They will be able to deposit these with a volunteer or at various submission boxes located in the room. Before the Unconference session begins, the questions will be categorized into themes which will then be presented to the speakers on stage.

3:00-3:50 pm
Reimagining a Relational Future: There Is No Me Without We
Matt EchoHawk-Hayashi, Co-Founder and Principal of Headwater People Consulting
Matt EchoHawk-Hayashi, Co-Founder and Principal of Headwater People Consulting, will close out the Deep Dive Day conference with a vision of a future where inclusion is the status quo of all design. He will weave in his experience of indigenous cultures that value the wholeness of community, rather than its segmentation. Designing spaces for separation limits everyone's experience, because the reality is, we are so much better when we are together.

3:50-4:00 pm
SCAC Call to Action

Speakers

Teal (she/her) is a white woman with long, wavy blonde hair and green eyes. She is wearing a shimmery, green long-sleeve top.
Kayla is a woman with red mid-length hair in an electric wheelchair.


  • Comedian

    Kayla (she/her) is a Seattle-based activist, nerd, and is funny about 20% of the time. She is an amateur comedian and co-produces The Disabled List, a group of disabled comedians who perform throughout the year around Seattle. Kayla's main hobbies are reading fanfiction and eating snacks.

  • Co-Founder and Principal of Headwater Consulting

    Matt Echohawk-Hayashi (he/him) is the founder of Headwater People Consulting and a trusted systems change strategist based in Seattle, WA. He partners with community-rooted organizations to reimagine structures, beliefs, and policies through Indigenous frameworks, systems thinking, and relational design. Matt’s work spans public health, education, equity, and environmental justice, including collaborations with the EPA, King County, and the City of Seattle. Grounded by his upbringing in Kaneohe, Hawai‘i, Matt brings humility, purpose, and deep cultural fluency to his facilitation. He is passionate about advancing systemic equity for Native and Black communities and creating futures shaped by shared belonging.

A smiling Asian woman with black sleeveless top and slightly curled long hair. Background is a historic Pioneer Square alley with brick walls.

  • Co-Chief Executive Officer, DeepSignAI

    Aimee Chou (she/hers) recently pivoted into tech with a background in playwriting, non-profit communications, and arts administration. She has worked on projects at institutions such as Gallaudet Theatre, Imagination Stage, Sound Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Huntington Theatre, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Aimee currently co-leads DeepSign AI, a Deaf-led startup focused on Sign Language Recognition (SLR). She champions disability representation in any domain, whether it’s authentic casting or training AI models on diverse datasets. As a UW graduate, Aimee is a rare Seattleite who uses umbrellas.

Dan (he/him) is a mixed-race person with light skin, curly dark hair, a dark beard, and glasses. He is wearing a corduroy jacket over a plaid, button-up shirt and a lanyard around his neck with a name badge.

  • Comedian

    Dan is a disabled, Black, Jewish, a good cook, a bad basketball player, and, mostly, really really funny. A Seattle-based comedian, writer, and filmmaker, Dan was voted Best of Fest at both the Burbank Comedy Festival and Jersey City Comedy Festival and was a semifinalist in the 2023 edition of the 40+ year-running Seattle International Comedy Competition. Dan's sharp wit and unique insights have made him a favorite in the PNW!

    In 2024 and 2025, Dan curated the comedy lineup for Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival—the largest festival of its kind in the region. Dan is a producer of the annual Disabled List Comedy Festival, and in 2023 he was keynote speaker at the Association of People Supporting Employment First.

Patrick (he/him) is a 40 year old, mixed race male with spiky black, but increasingly gray hair smiling in front of a blurred background. He is wearing a dark blue blazer with a light blue solid shirt.

  • Senior Manager, Visitor Experience and Engagement , Gates Foundation

    Patrick McMahon currently serves as a senior manager at the Gates Foundation, leading some of the foundation’s public engagement efforts out of its Seattle-based Discovery Center.  He manages the operations of the space as well as the team of educators that engage with groups, staff and the public. He and his team have been working to create a culture of accessibility over the last several years.

Keynote Speaker: Teal Sherer
Actor, Writer, Advocate

Teal Sherer is an actor, writer, and disability advocate. She is the Board President of Seattle Public Theater and has performed onstage in Sound Theatre Company’s Cost of Living and 53% Of. Teal is also a feature writer for New Mobility, a lifestyle magazine for wheelchair users. Next up, she will be performing her solo show, The World Looks Different Sitting Down, at Seattle Public Theater.

Kirk Adams PhD (he/him) is a white male with silver hair. Kirk is wearing business attire and smiling. He has his long white cane beside him.

  • Managing Director, Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting

    Dr. Adams spent his professional career diligently driving the inclusion of people who are blind throughout society. A long white cane user since age six, he attended the Oregon State School for the Blind, and attribute the blindness skills and strong sense of internal agency gained there for much of his success in life. He entered the nonprofit sector through fundraising.

    His first nonprofit job was as a development officer for the Seattle Public Library Foundation, raising money for the statewide Talking Book and Braille (NLS) Library. During that time, he earned a Master’s degree in Not-For-Profit Leadership from Seattle University, and earned the Certified Fundraising Executive credential from the Association of Fundraising professionals. He was originally hired by the Seattle Lighthouse to stand up a comprehensive fundraising program and a supporting Foundation and fundraising board.

    Moving into the CEO roles at the Lighthouse and AFB, he continuously developed my network of relationships with others interested in the inclusion of people with disabilities. He currently has 4900 friends on Facebook, and 29,000 connections on LinkedIn. In his new role as a consultant, he's excited about putting his skills, experience, and networks to good use, supporting innovative, impactful projects, like the Inspiration Foundation.

Grace (she/her) is a white woman with medium length wavy brown hair wearing a knit black shirt and white earrings. She is standing in front of a white wall hung with paintings.

  • Artist

    After Seattle-based visual artist Grace Flott experienced an injury from a fire, she became interested in representation of bodies from a feminist disability justice lens. She wanted to understand more deeply what it meant to exist in a world with a visible difference and how that contrasts with society's socially constructed views of normalcy. Flott will share her experience accessing art and how she approached relationship-building with other disabled individuals to be represented in her art.

Amberlee (she/her) is a white woman in her upper 30s with medium length, wavy brunette hair and is wearing a black blouse, standing in a park with autumn leaves in the background.

  • Director of Education & Engagement, The 5th Avenue Theatre

    Amberlee Joers (she/her) is a nonprofit arts professional and Teaching Artist committed to building greater equity and accessibility in the arts. As the Director of Education & Engagement for The 5th Avenue Theatre, she centers a collaborative approach in fostering inclusive and joyous arts environments.

    With 14 years of experience in the greater Seattle area—including work with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Theatre Group, Seattle Rep, Village’s KIDSTAGE, and Urban ArtWorks, among others—Amberlee’s specialty is rooted in arts education, curriculum development, and program management. She is particularly passionate about the intersections of anti-racism and disability justice.

    Her recent accessibility-focused initiatives at The 5th Avenue Theatre include launching the organization’s first Sensory Inclusive programming, envisioning and implementing rotating tactile displays in the lobby, and conducting a thorough community-based accessibility audit to drive cross-departmental action at The 5th.

    Certifications include Washington’s Teaching Artist Training Lab, Nonprofit Management from UW, and the Creative Dance Center’s Summer Institute on the BrainDance. She currently serves on the board for WA Thespians and past board/committee work includes time with ArtsEd WA and Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium. Amberlee strives to cultivate and support experiences where everyone can connect, create, and celebrate.

Inji is a smiling middle-aged beige woman. She stands on a Whidbey Island beach with the sunset behind her. She has brown eyes, mostly grey curly hair. She wears sunglasses on her head and a white and black Kufiya as a scarf around her neck.

  • Middle and High School Program Manager, Urban ArtWorks

    Inji Kamel (she/her) has had the pleasure of working with a variety of organizations and programs; most notably Public Works at Seattle Rep and Cornerstone Theater Company’s Institute Summer Residency. She has been a theater-maker and arts administrator for more than twenty years. Inji values community healing through collaborative storytelling and enjoys building relationships among folks from different walks of life. She currently manages middle and high school programs in public art with Urban ArtWorks. She is a Queer Muslim-ish Egyptian immigrant. She finds purpose and joy in her family-Jen, Jiraiya, Alex, Laziah, and Soldier.

Jessica (she/her) is a white woman in her early 30s with medium-length blonde hair that falls just past her shoulders. She is wearing a big brimmed hat and jean jacket.

  • Community Impact & Programs Coordinator, Friends of Waterfront Park

    Jessica Lotz is a community engagement and programs professional with experience in outreach, partnership development, education, and research. At Friends of Waterfront Park, she supports programming that connects artists, community members, and organizations. Jessica also supports the Accessibility Advisory Committee, ensuring people with disabilities remain central to the organization’s work. She has managed logistics for large-scale events and advanced initiatives that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. Passionate about equity, Jessica builds relationships with diverse stakeholders—civic groups, committee members, artists, and volunteers—to create meaningful experiences that strengthen community impact and expand access for all.

Maggie (she/her), a white woman in her 20s with shoulder-length blonde hair, is smiling in a purple dress and sitting in front of greenery. Next to her is a large black dog with long ears, wearing a leash and a striped blue and gray tie.

  • Accessibility Coordinator, The 5th Avenue Theatre

    Maggie (she/her) is a founder of Actually Disabled—a disability consulting 
    business based in the Puget Sound area. Maggie has Cerebral Palsy, is 
    neurodivergent, and uses various mobility aids. She grew up in the 
    Seattle area and has a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. She has over 16 years of experience with adaptive sports, has been a service dog handler for 15 years, and has worked as a caregiver, a nanny, and a staff member for various organizations supporting disabled youth. In her free time, Maggie enjoys coaching wheelchair basketball, exploring the zoo and aquarium, and attending Mariners games.

Marlee (she/they) is a white femme-person in their twenties, smiling softly. They have shoulder length auburn hair and a dark green turtleneck.

  • Accessibility Coordinator, The 5th Avenue Theatre

    Marlee is a disabled artist with over a decade of experience in the Seattle theatre community. She is an actor, playwright, SCAC member, and Accessibility Coordinator for The 5th Avenue Theatre. Marlee is a fierce advocate for accessibility and believes Art is for All.

Conference Sponsorship

Learn more about the opportunities to become a Deep Dive Day sponsor, and how you can help reshape the movement to strengthen access to arts and culture for all.

Learn About Sponsorship Opportunities

Jump Into Accessibility: A Deep Dive Day 2025 is sponsored by:
Visionary Sponsor

4 Culture Logo

This project was supported, in part, by a grant from 4Culture.

Luminary Sponsor

Multicolored overlapping squares, to the right red stacked text reads "The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation"

Catalyst Sponsor
Perazzoli Family

Connector Sponsor
Headwater People Consulting
Inspire Washington
Teal Sherer
Troy P. Coalman & John Jay Calabig

Ally Sponsor
Friends of Waterfront Park
Hearing Loss Association of Washington
Henry Art Gallery
Joy Shigaki
Mark Root-Wiley, MRW Web Design
Michelle Banks
Mirror Stage
Museum of History and Industry
SharpWritings

SCAC Funders

4Culture in bright green lettering
An outline of Washington state is filled with colorful geometric shapes, white text reads ARTSWA
A royal blue broken circle with the letters A and an & symbol inside, below the words Office of Arts and Culture Seattle
The word ArtsFund in black lettering, to the right in orange lettering a sprouting plant and diagonal line create an A.

Safety Plan

Jump Into Accessibility: A Deep Dive Day is a mask-affirmative, non-judgmental space where we aim to work together to accommodate each other's individual and communal needs. Although we encourage participants to consider masking to protect everyone from airborne illnesses, we also acknowledge that everyone's needs are different. While masking can provide benefits, it can also result in barriers to communication and participation.  

We invite our attendees to make the choice that is right for them, while asking for support from others to meet those needs. We also know that comfort levels or needs may shift during the conference. Our team will have a limited supply of KN95 masks at Registration should you need one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I bring my own lunch?
You are welcome to bring your own lunch. We will be collecting lunch orders at registration, so feel free to indicate you will bring your own.

What if I forget to bring a mask or decide I need to wear one?
Our team will have a limited supply of KN95 masks at Registration should you need one.

What happens if I feel unwell or test positive for COVID?
If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend the event. If you test positive for COVID, do not attend the event. Our team will work with you to find the best solution to your needs and circumstances. 

If I register and then no longer feel safe coming in person, what can I do?
Please contact our team if things change and you no longer can or are willing to attend the conference. We have a flexible refund policy in place, and will share takeaways after the event.

What happens if I come to the conference and I decide I'm not comfortable being there in person?
Please see staff at Registration or contact us at seattlecac@gmail.com. A member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible about options. 

I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Please contact seattlecac@gmail.com.