This episode of The Nonprofit Report features the leadership team behind The Kelsey, an organization that is redefining how communities approach accessible, inclusive housing for people with disabilities.
Guests:
Micaela Connery, Co-founder & CEO
Justin Tsang, Board Member, and Transportation Planner at LA Metro a
Capri Roth, Board Member, & EVP of Real Estate Development at EBALDC
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- The Kelsey was named for Kelsey O’Connor, an advocate whose lived experience inspired the organization’s mission.
- The Kelsey develops “disability-forward” housing—built by and for disabled people across a spectrum of physical, sensory, cognitive, and medical needs.
- Accessibility goes beyond compliance—it requires intentional design, services, and community ethos.
- The organization’s Inclusive Design Standards were co-created with disabled advocates and are available open source.
- Affordable housing developers like EBALDC are incorporating The Kelsey’s standards to meet the needs of diverse residents more effectively.
- Disability is not a monolith; solutions must reflect individual experiences and identities.
- A civil society that embraces disability strengthens opportunity and inclusion for all.
Other Points on The Kelsey
The Kelsey challenges the notion that disability inclusion is a matter of charity. Instead, it promotes universal design and policy reform that make housing better for everyone. By involving people with disabilities in shaping their own communities, The Kelsey shifts the paradigm from care to empowerment and co-creation.
The Kelsey doesn’t aim to be the sole expert—it encourages other developers to adopt and apply its standards. Board members like Capri Roth exemplify this by integrating inclusive design into broader housing portfolios. From placement and planning to post-occupancy operations, every aspect of housing impacts accessibility.
The Kelsey combines policy advocacy with real-world implementation. Residents’ stories drive systems change—demonstrating how a design feature like an accessible sink changes daily life. The organization’s dual mission to build communities and transform systems ensures policies stay grounded in human experience.
The Kelsey is redefining inclusive housing by centering disability in design, development, and advocacy—and creating a blueprint for a more accessible, equitable future.