Darby Lee Young

Darby Lee Young

Advisory Board

Darby has over a decade of experience working as an accessibility strategist. She established Level Playing Field in 2015, an accessibility consulting agency, and is an expert in Universal Design and international accessibility guidelines and standards. The impact Darby has made and her ability to create change has led to her receiving numerous awards including Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2018 and Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence in 2021.

Darby has successfully contributed to the removal of barriers at the municipal, provincial, and national levels, ultimately establishing inclusive environments for all. Darby’s expertise in Universal Design has developed throughout a wide range of public roles including her achievements as a competitive para-alpine skier.

In 2019, she inspired Canadian-based shoe designer, John Fluevog, to create an adaptive shoe. Darby was born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy (CP) that causes her to drag her toes when she walks. The shoe is mindfully designed to not wear down when walking with a gait that causes one to drag their toes and is rightly named “Darby” to celebrate the adaptive collaboration. Alongside her consultancy endeavors, Darby works as a Master of Architecture Course Instructor at the University of Calgary. She has been designated a Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional and is committed to contributing her unique lived experience and various political appointments to passionately advocate for lasting inclusive environments that benefit everyone regardless of age or ability.