Francisco Lasta, OTR/L, Assoc. AIA, is passionate about inclusive design and has been collaborating with architects and designers to create a more inclusive built environment. With over a decade of experience as an occupational therapist, he has worked with individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, focusing on a variety of disabilities. His expertise in human-centered design, task analysis, and accessibility gives him a uniquely empathetic and functional perspective when it comes to architecture and design.
Additionally, Francisco brings a solid knowledge of UX, which enables him to assist designers in creating spaces that are accessible and usable by all. He is leading the development of his firm's Inclusive Design Guidelines and is working to establish a pipeline for more occupational therapy students to intern at architecture firms. He advocates for greater involvement of occupational therapists in the design process, actively engaging with thought leaders in inclusive design and collaborating with academic institutions to advance research on the subject, particularly in public spaces.
Francisco is set to speak about Occupation-Centered Design at SXSW 2025.