The Universal Design Project is a remote-first 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in the Shenandoah Valley, focused on increasing the supply of accessible housing based on universal design. Our team of healthcare professionals is nationally-distributed and sees a widespread need for more universally accessible homes.

Sarah Pruett, MOT, OTR/L, CAPS

Program Director, Occupational Therapist – Harrisonburg, Virginia

Sarah is a co-founder of The Universal Design Project, has a BS in Allied Health, and a Masters in Occupational Therapy.

As an occupational therapist who specializes in adult physical rehabilitation and environmental design, Sarah has extensive knowledge about how the design of spaces impacts everyday life. Clinical experience, marriage with a husband who has a spinal cord injury, a seat on Virginia’s Assistive Technology Advisory Council, and leadership in serving people with a wide range of disabilities have given her a passion for better, more functional design throughout homes and communities.

Tiffany Dill, OTD, MPH, ECHM, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist – St. Louis, Missouri

Tiffany is the owner of Blue Day 2 Designs, has a BA in Communications, a Masters of Public Health, and is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

Living with a hearing impairment throughout life has challenged Tiffany to seek new routes and adventures within her environments, particularly in large social settings. Her passion lies deep in helping others discover new ways to face their challenges. She has experience in various clinical settings and personally understands the need to live safely and independently for work, home, and play.

Meaghan Walls, BE, MSBE, ATP

Rehabilitation Engineer, Assistive Technology Professional – Omaha, Nebraska

Meaghan is the president & CEO of Assistology, has a BS in Mathematics, an MS in Bioengineering, and is a certified Assistive Technology Professional.

As an engineer, Meaghan is especially passionate about creating ways to help individuals increase their participation in activities that improve functional abilities for daily living and obtain access to environments and activities that improve their quality of life. She works to take design beyond minimum requirements to incorporate the human experience throughout design processes.

Rebecca Langbein, OTD

Occupational Therapist, Engineer – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rebecca is an engineer-turned-occupational therapist. She has a BS in Integrated Engineering & Psychology and is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

She helps bridge a functional gap between products and people by consulting with a variety of organizations to help create products and environments that are equitably accessible for all people. Rebecca had the privilege of sharing her vision about occupational therapy and human-centered design as a TEDx speaker and continues to participate in and advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Scott Pruett, MS

Executive Director, President – Harrisonburg, Virginia

Scott is our other co-founder, has a BS in Technical & Scientific Communication, and a MS in Parks & Rec Management with a focus on Adaptive Sports.

Living with a spinal cord injury for over half of his life, Scott has experienced the impact of the lack of accessibility and design that rarely accommodates disability in optimal ways. He’s our big-picture thinker focused on things that result in better community participation for people affected by disability. He also serves on Virginia’s Assistive Technology Advisory Council and is the board president for Valley Associates for Independent Living.

Design Advisors

This is an advisory group with an important role: to validate that any design work we create is functional for themselves as individuals affected by disability or for the people they care for. If it’s not, they advise us what would be better, signaling us to make a change or go back to the drawing board.

The identities of our Design Advisors are private.

We have 174 as of August 8, 2022. Learn more and apply here (application opening again soon).

Board of Directors

Scott Pruett, MS
Anthony Gregoria, DPT
Jonathan Sutton, MA
Rebecca Klein, MA
Josh Lookabill, PMP

Students

2023: Kaylee C., University of Central Arkansas (planned)
2023: Brittany W., Towson University
2022: Nate P., University of New England
2022: Alee H., James Madison University
2022: Daniel-Hannah G., Washington University in St. Louis
2021: Kelsey G., University of Puget Sound
2021: Rachel M., James Madison University
2021: Nicole G., Maryville University
2021: Lauren D., University of Central Arkansas
2021: Sally K., Trinity Washington University
2020-2021: Bethany H., The University of Kansas
2020: Kati R., Mary Baldwin University
2019: Brooke T., Savannah College of Art and Design
2019: David W., Cedarville University
2019: Sandy W., Mary Baldwin University
2018: Katie G., Mary Baldwin University
2018: Nicole H., Mary Baldwin University
2017: Despina S., Mary Baldwin University

We are accepting requests for OTD capstone mentorships. Level II placements are on hold. If you’re interested in working with us, please get in touch.