Past Event
Thursday, February 27 2025
6:00–7:30 pm
Access for All
Designing an Inclusive MTA
Thursday, February 27 2025
6:00–7:30 pm
Access for All
Designing an Inclusive MTA
Exploring the Intersection of Accessibility and Design in New York’s Transit System
How does the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) ensure accessibility across its vast network? Join Quemuel (Q) Arroyo, Chief Accessibility Officer at the State of NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Sean Field, Creative Director of the MTA for an enlightening discussion on the challenges and innovations in designing for inclusivity across physical, digital, audio, and visual contexts.
Q and Sean will share insights into the MTA’s initiatives to create a seamless transit experience for all riders, including those with disabilities. Discover the strategies and tools they use to address diverse needs, overcome barriers, and push for continuous improvement in one of the world’s largest and most complex transit systems.
Whether you’re a designer, urban planner, accessibility advocate, or transit enthusiast, this conversation promises to spark ideas and inspire action toward a more inclusive future.
Event Series: Design Spotlight
These events are design talks or conversations that feature designers or creative teams sharing top of mind or breakout work.
Tickets
We are committed to keeping events accessible to all participants. Your ticket and donation supports AIGA NY and costs associated with events such as speaker honorariums, productions costs, and venue fees. If ticket cost is a barrier, please contact Stacey@aigany.org.
Schedule
- 6:00 pm Doors open & check-in
- 6:30 pm Event begins
- 7:30 pm Event ends
Tickets
- Non-members $25.00
- AIGA Members $15.00
- MAD Members $15.00
Museum of Arts and Design
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2 Columbus Circle - Auditorium lower level
New York, 10019
Speakers
Sean Field, Creative Director, MTA
A solution-based thinker with a unique creative lens. Passionate, energetic & authentic. Sean Michael Field is one of the leading creatives from the Caribbean. Whether leading a creative team, directing commercials, or film projects, his work has a distinct polish and exclusive feel. Currently the Creative Director for the MTA, some of his more recent outstanding work includes a six-part series for Cîroc Vodka in which he created a style that paired with the brand’s iconic feeling and modern aesthetic while introducing a trendy soundtrack. Over the course of his career, Sean has created and executed projects for brands such as Mount Gay Rum, MacMillan Publishers, Burger King, RedBull and more. His attention to detail and experience in diverse relationships has garnered him the ability to overcome challenges with finding solutions that bridge the gap. By bringing visions to life with a 360 lens, Sean harnesses the ability to “see” a way forward which translates to the final desired results. Regardless of the production size, Sean has continued to elevate his work, style and craft; lending them most recently to successful campaigns for SeaWorld, Busch Gardensand most recently the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Quemuel (Q) Arroyo, Chief Accessibility Officer, MTA
Quemuel (Q) Arroyo joined the MTA in February 2021 as the organization’s first agencywide Chief Accessibility Officer. In this capacity, Arroyo leads the implementation of policies, initiatives, and programs that advance accessibility throughout the organization.
Prior to joining the MTA, Arroyo served as Interim President and Global Head of Community at Charge, an e-scooter charging and docking company. Before Charge, he served as the first Chief Accessibility Specialist at the New York City Department of Transportation, where he helped settle the largest accessibility claim in the nation.
Arroyo obtained an MPA degree from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and a B.A. in Urban Design and History of Architecture from New York University. A Harlem resident and avid scuba diver, Arroyo serves on the boards of New York City Outward Bound Schools, Hudson River Community Sailing, and the Heidi Latsky Dance Company.
Museum of Arts and Design
—
2 Columbus Circle - Auditorium lower level
New York, 10019