Accessibility Champion: Betty Siegel

Director, Office of Accessibility and VSA at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

By Jennifer Allen

Betty Siegel has gone beyond bringing the arts to the disabled to bringing people with  disabilities to the arts.

Since its doors opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center has held as a core value that the arts are for everyone. Since joining the Kennedy Center in 1999, Betty Siegel has been ready to go beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act to the next level of inclusion. 

“When I came on board, it wasn’t just about compliance,” she recalls. “It was about genuinely engaging with the disability community and adopting a more holistic approach.”

Siegel’s work as the Director of the Kennedy Center’s Office of Access/VSA reflects her dedication to providing arts for everyone. Under her leadership, the Center’s accessibility programs have become a model for arts institutions worldwide. “Our motto? ‘Eager to remove barriers and find solutions to challenges,'” she explains. For Siegel, this isn’t just a slogan but a daily mission. Whether it’s establishing policies, offering staff training, or reviewing renovation plans, her role touches every aspect of the Center’s work. The scope is vast: In 2024 alone, her team trained over 500 staff and reached over 3,000 individuals through consultations, presentations, and educational programs.

“Our motto? ‘Eager to remove barriers and find solutions to challenges'”

Betty Siegel

Despite these many accomplishments, Siegel acknowledges that the journey is ongoing. “The world of accessibility is constantly evolving,” she says. “Technology changes, expectations change, and we’re always adapting.” This adaptability keeps her and her team busy as they continue to explore the latest innovations and ensure they meet the diverse needs of audiences. One current focus is a research collaboration with Gallaudet University and the Smithsonian, aimed at applying next-generation assistive listening technologies—a project Siegel is particularly excited about.

One of her proudest achievements is the culture of inclusion that has been fostered at the Kennedy Center. “We’ve worked hard to ensure accessibility is integrated into every aspect of what we do,” she says. This proactive approach anticipates the needs of guests, creating spaces and performances that embrace people of all abilities.

Looking to the future, Siegel remains focused on pushing the envelope. In 2025, the Kennedy Center will host its annual Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference in Cleveland, bringing together over 950 cultural arts administrators and accessibility leaders. This gathering, along with ongoing projects like the assistive listening research and efforts to support emerging artists with disabilities, shows Siegel’s continued drive to make the arts accessible to all.

When asked who she follows for ideas and inspiration, Betty recommended the ADA National Network. “The webinars produced by the Great Lakes ADA Center are always interesting and informative.” She’s been impressed by both their helpful resources and their knowledgeable technical assistance staff.

Betty Siegel’s passion, leadership, and relentless pursuit of accessibility have expanded access to the arts, set a powerful example for others to follow, and have set her apart as a TravelAbility Accessibility Champion.