In The News: Lasta Advocates for Accessibility-First Design

In Chicago Build Expo’s Ambassador Blog, Francisco Lasta explains why teams must address accessibility early in the design and construction process. Lasta conveys that accessibility is most effective when it is integrated from the outset, rather than introduced later as a corrective or compliance-driven measure.

The blog highlights how early design decisions, such as layout, circulation, and user experience, directly influence how people of all abilities navigate and interact with a building or place. Lasta emphasizes that addressing accessibility during planning allows teams to anticipate a broader range of physical, sensory, and cognitive needs, resulting in environments that are safer, more intuitive, and easier to navigate. By incorporating inclusive, human-centered design principles from concept through construction, project teams are better positioned to deliver long-term value while creating spaces that more effectively serve their communities.