About Us

Mission

Access Smithsonian is a catalyst for consistent and integrated inclusive design that provides meaningful access to the Smithsonian Institution museums and content for visitors with disabilities.

Vision

To be recognized for excellence as an Institutional and international resource for inclusive museum facilities, programs, and services. People with disabilities who visit will view the Smithsonian Institution as relevant, accessible, and valuable.

Responsibilities

  • Policy, Practices, and Procedures 
  • Training and Education 
  • Programming 
  • Community Engagement 
  • Inclusive Design 
  • Access Services 
  • Internships

Contact Information

Access Smithsonian
Email: Access@si.edu
Phone: 202-633-2921 (voice)
Mailing Address:
PO Box 37012
National Museum of American History, Room 1050, MRC 607
Washington, DC 20013

Beth is pictured in the foreground of the photo sitting in a black power chair with her arm over the armrest. She wears a vibrant magenta long sleeve shirt, with a magenta, orange and purple patterned scarf around her neck. In the background, a lush green garden with the red brick Smithsonian Castle seen at the back behind the garden.
Beth Ziebarth, Head Diversity Officer of the Smithsonian and Director of Access Smithsonian Beth Ziebarth is the Head Diversity Officer of the Smithsonian and Director of Access Smithsonian. She is moving forward organizational diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) goals by building a community of practice, serving as a lead advisor and participant in the implementation of institutional strategic initiatives, and developing opportunities to bring DEAI resources into the Institution. Ziebarth also develops and implements accessibility policy and guidelines for the Institution, ensuring that Smithsonian visitors equitably experience inclusive physical and digital environments.             
In her 34 years at the Smithsonian, Ziebarth has served as a volunteer, as a Social Science Analyst in the Institutional Studies Office, as leader of Access Smithsonian, and more recently, as the Interim Head Diversity Officer. She has translated her personal interest in accessibility and disability into a broader professional perspective and responsibility for DEAI initiatives for both visitors and staff.            
Ziebarth received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.          
Ziebarth is board vice president and programs committee chair of Nature Forward, a nonprofit organization that inspires Washington, DC, region residents to appreciate their natural environment through outdoor experiences and education.    
Ashley smiles at the camera wearing glasses & with a bookshelf behind her.
Ashley Grady, Senior Program Specialist Ashley Grady is the Senior Program Specialist at Access Smithsonian. In this role, she manages the office's public programs, pan-institutional partnerships, and the intern & volunteer programs. Prior to working at the Smithsonian, Ashley was a special education teacher focusing on job training and professional development for young adults with disabilities in Washington, DC and Nashville, TN. She holds a Masters degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelors degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ashley is a graduate of the Smithsonian's Emerging Leaders Development Program and was awarded the Leadership in Arts and Disabilities Community Asset Award in 2019. 
Paulina Smiles at the camera with a garden in the background
Paulina Sosa, See Me Coordinator Paulina Sosa is the See Me Coordinator for the See Me program at Access Smithsonian. And she is the Founder and CEO of Latinx Voces, a social enterprise aimed at celebrating, showcasing and amplifying Latinx voices, stories, and cultures. She is also the Founder and Chair of the health branch, the Latinx Task Force, a national coalition of local, state and national organizations and agencies, focused on addressing health and economic disparities in Latinx communities during and beyond COVID-19. Additionally, Paulina has worked for more than 15 years in public health, including advocacy, data analytics and communications. Her work has revolved around infectious disease transmission and epidemic and pandemic preparedness, including influenza and COVID-19. Paulina is currently a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Public Health- Public Health Informatics program at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has worked at the World Health Organization and at the Pan American Health Organization as the Lead Data Analyst on influenza. She has also worked with the American Journal of Public Health, the American Public Health Association COVID-19 Response Team, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided consulting services for PAHO and other partners in data, surveillance, and public health communications.  
Headshot of Michelle who has short blonde and grey hair and stands dressed in a black turtleneck shirt with her arms crossed smiling at the camera
Michelle Cook, Inclusive Design Specialist Michelle Cook is an Inclusive Design Specialist at the Smithsonian Institution. Her work within the Access Smithsonian office supports the design of inclusive exhibition spaces, outreach and education programs, communications and technologies, and facilities across all Smithsonian Units. Prior to her work with the Smithsonian, she served as Training and Technical Assistance Specialist with the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, and Accessibility Specialist and Program Manager at Indiana University's National Center on Accessibility. Michelle holds a Master of Science in Recreation Therapy from Indiana University. Her expertise and knowledge in this arena enables the Access Smithsonian office to promote movement beyond minimum standards and towards more inclusive and meaningful experiences for all audiences.
Headshot of Amy standing outdoors. She has light brown hair and smiles at the camera
Amy Castine, Lead Educator for See Me at the Smithsonian Amy Castine is the lead educator for See Me at the Smithsonian, Access Smithsonian’s free English-language program for people living with dementia and their care partners. Utilizing her experience as an artist, art historian, and educator, Amy develops and delivers See Me programs that improve the lives of participants through conversation and cognitive stimulation. In addition to working closely with participating Smithsonian museums to develop program content, Amy was instrumental in designing a training program for museum docents interested in facilitating dementia-friendly programs such as See Me at the Smithsonian. Amy is also affiliated with the Just Us program at the National Gallery of Art which - like See Me at the Smithsonian - serves individuals with dementia and their care partners. Amy earned a Master's in Art History with a concentration in museum studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time, she enjoys painting, jewelry-making, and teaching a variety of artistic techniques to students of all ages.    
Headshot of Larissa who has wavy, long red hair and wears a white shirt. Trees are in the background.
Larissa Kunynskyj, Accessibility Program Coordinator Larissa Kunynskyj is the Accessibility Program Coordinator at Access Smithsonian. She manages the Morning at the Museum program, coordinates access services for visitors, and works closely with Visitor Services teams across the Smithsonian to provide support and staff training. Prior to working at the Smithsonian, Larissa worked in roles focused on increasing visitor accessibility at several museums and non-profit organizations including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, TDF, and Indiana University’s Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. She holds a Master's degree in Comparative Art and Archaeology from University College London and a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from St. John’s University.
Elise Duncan, Special Assistant to the Head Diversity Officer Elise Duncan is the Special Assistant to the Head Diversity Officer at the Smithsonian Institution.  Prior to working at the Smithsonian, she served as Art Specialist and then Director of the Knoxville Arts Center (formerly Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center) and Special Programs Coordinator for the City of Chesapeake.   Most recently, she served as Executive Assistant to the Director at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, and brings over a decade of experience in training, operations management, and DEAI advocacy. Elise earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from East Tennessee State University, and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
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