Darby Young has built her career on showing the world that disability inclusion is not about charity or checklists. It is about creating environments where people can belong, businesses can thrive, and communities can grow stronger.

Born with mild cerebral palsy and a former national para-alpine skier, Darby knows firsthand what it feels like to face barriers. She also knows how those barriers can be removed when accessibility is seen as an opportunity instead of an afterthought. Today she brings that lived experience together with more than 16 years of consulting expertise to help audiences understand disability in a new way.

As the Founder of Level Playing Field Inc., Darby leads one of North America’s only consulting firms built on both professional credentials and lived disability experience. Since 2015, her team has advised on more than 300 projects across Canada, the United States, and abroad. Her work covers every sector from universities and airports to corporate real estate, sports and entertainment venues, and government facilities.

Darby’s projects include some of the most high-profile developments in Canada. She guided accessibility planning for the 500 million dollar BMO Centre expansion in Calgary, which is now Western Canada’s largest convention center. She led campus-wide accessibility audits for the University of Manitoba, covering 182 public-facing buildings. She also directed reviews across Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s four campuses, representing nearly two million square feet of facilities. These projects give her a rare perspective on how accessibility can be integrated at scale, from concept through occupancy.

Her credentials back up her experience. Darby is a Certified Venue Professional (CVP), a Certified ADA Coordinator, and an IOC Safeguarding Officer. She has served on the City of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility and the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. She has represented Canada internationally, bringing disability inclusion to the forefront at global summits. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and one of the Top 25 Women of Influence.

But what makes Darby most engaging as a speaker is how she makes disability real for her audiences. She does not present abstract theories. She shares stories that stick. She might describe what happens when an airline mishandles her scooter, or how a poorly placed “accessible” lift at a venue leaves people stranded and humiliated. She also highlights success stories that prove accessibility works when it is planned with intention. Her mix of honesty, humor, and practical examples keeps audiences leaning in and rethinking their assumptions.

Darby’s disability-focused talks show organizations that accessibility is not a side issue. It is a business driver. Companies that prioritize accessibility attract talent, retain customers, reduce risk, and strengthen brand reputation. Universities that go beyond compliance prepare themselves for a more diverse student body and a future where disability is part of every inclusion strategy. Sports and entertainment venues that get accessibility right build loyalty that lasts for generations.

Her keynotes and workshops give audiences practical strategies they can apply right away. She teaches leaders how to embed accessibility into policy, design, and culture. She helps managers understand how to train staff so that disability is handled with respect rather than awkwardness. She also shows executives how accessibility connects to ESG goals, regulatory frameworks, and financial performance.

Darby’s most requested talks include:

• Disability Inclusion Beyond Compliance – how to move from minimum code requirements to real accessibility that works for people.

• Lived Experience Meets Professional Expertise – stories from Darby’s life and career that illustrate the human and business impact of accessibility.

• Building Inclusive Communities – what leaders in business, education, and government can do to ensure people with disabilities are fully included.

• Accessibility as a Business Advantage – how disability inclusion fuels growth, talent retention, and customer loyalty.

What sets Darby apart is her ability to bridge lived experience and professional expertise. Many speakers share personal disability stories. Many consultants provide technical expertise. Few can bring both together at Darby’s level, with a portfolio of large-scale projects, global recognition, and real stories that resonate with audiences.

When audiences hear Darby speak about disability, they walk away with more than awareness. They leave with tools, strategies, and a new mindset. They see disability not as a problem to be solved but as a source of innovation and leadership. And they are challenged to act, because inclusion is not optional and accessibility benefits everyone.