The Infrastructure of Inclusion with Sean Kelly

Episode Description

What does it take to make a community truly accessible?

In this episode of Independent Idaho, Jeremy sits down with Sean Kelly, Accessibility and Mobility Specialist and Certified ADA Coordinator for the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). Sean's path to accessibility has been anything but ordinary—from serving in the U.S. Army as a counterterrorism and intelligence professional to studying philosophy, sociology, and community planning, and ultimately helping shape the way people move safely and independently throughout Ada County.

Sean explains how accessibility extends far beyond curb ramps and sidewalks. The conversation explores how thoughtful planning, engineering, and community engagement create public spaces that work better for everyone—including people with disabilities, older adults, parents with strollers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Jeremy and Sean also discuss the role of ACHD's ADA Program, the importance of listening to community members, and how accessibility is increasingly becoming a core part of transportation planning rather than an afterthought. They also touch on the work of ACHD's ADA Advisory Committee, how residents can help identify barriers, and the progress being made to improve access throughout the region.

Whether you're interested in transportation, city planning, disability rights, or simply creating communities where everyone can participate, this episode offers an inside look at the work of building a more accessible Idaho.

About Our Guest

Sean Kelly serves as the Accessibility and Mobility Specialist and Certified ADA Coordinator for the Ada County Highway District (ACHD), where he works to ensure that streets, sidewalks, intersections, and other elements of the public right of way are accessible to everyone.

Sean grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago before joining the U.S. Army in 1995. Although he began his military career as an artilleryman, he spent most of his service as a counterterrorism and intelligence professional, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the Army, he attended Boise State University, earning degrees in Philosophy and Sociology before completing a Master of Community and Regional Planning.

Before joining ACHD in 2023, Sean administered a Community Development Block Grant program for the City of Meridian, worked for a nonprofit supporting veterans' mental health, traveled internationally as a video game content creator, and even spent a year as a stay-at-home father after adopting his young son.

Today, Sean combines his diverse experiences in public service, planning, and leadership to help build transportation systems that are safer, more inclusive, and accessible for everyone.

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