Meet the Universal Designers & Consultants Team
John P.S. Salmen
John P.S. Salmen, AIA, 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.
Andrew Yarrish
Andrew Yarrish, AIA, is a licensed architect with more than 13 years of design and construction experience. Andy, who holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC, has experience working properties of various scales, including boutique hotels, large resorts, embassies, consulates and the country’s largest assembly sporting venue. A member of the UD&C technical team since 2003, Andy considers Universal Design a means to further his ongoing architectural education. “Before asking ‘How does a building work?’ one should ask, ‘How do users experience the building?’ Working with Universal Design has allowed me to explore more closely how people experience the environment,” he says.
Lee Swinscoe
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.”
Larry Hoffer
Larry Hoffer is UD&C’s Marketing Manager and the editor of Universal Design Newsletter. He has 20 years of marketing and communications experience, spending nearly five years at the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), where he led the Society's print and electronic communications programs. Larry's exposure to Universal Design started while running the communications department at the Brain Injury Association, where he had the opportunity to travel with and write remarks for Former White House Press Secretary James Brady. Larry believes that as our society continues to focus on enabling people to live longer, healthier lives, Universally Designed buildings and homes will become more readily understood and desired.
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 has been with the company for 11 years. At present, Diggs-Jenkins is pursuing her Paralegal Degree from Montgomery College. “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.