United States Access Board

Thank you to everyone who participated in our town hall yesterday, where Board Vice-Chair Katy K. invited public comments from #LosAngeles community members. Public and Federal Board Members listened to the lived experiences of #accessibility and barriers in the LA area. Comments from members of the public included their experiences with transportation, sidewalks, information & communication technology, and more. Town hall guests included community leaders, artists & creatives, caregivers, and people both with and without #disabilities. We're honored to have had the chance to hear from so many community members! The Access Board serves the public, and we can serve you best when everyone is a part of the discussion about #equality, #equity, and advancing #accessibility for all. See you next time, LA!

Our Executive Director Sachin Pavithran recently attended a White House convening to recognize the experiences of South Asian Americans working in the federal government. Sachin had the chance to share his own experiences, and to hear from colleagues at the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Certain doors and entrances can make a building or facility inaccessible before you can even get inside. Check out our Guide to the #ADA Accessibility Standards that covers #accessible entrances, doors, and gates. 🚪 Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBYtkU-a #disability

Our first two public hearings with the American Association of People with Disabilities & the Center for Democracy & Technology are on Thursday, August 8 at 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM (ET) over Zoom. We want to hear from the #disability community on your experiences with artificial intelligence. ♿ Register to speak here: https://lnkd.in/ev8ihVzW #AI #a11y

Join us for our upcoming webinar on August 1 at 2:30 PM (ET) to learn about the #ADA Accessibility Guidelines for licensed medical care facilities including hospitals & rehabilitation facilities, licensed assisted living facilities, & more. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2iMrvP3

During a trip to D.C. for the United States Access Board, fellow Board member Heather Dowdy and I had the opportunity to meet the dynamic duo of the D.C. Police Department’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing unit and learn about their work with the community. Officer Pomare, on my right, is a child of Deaf parents (CODA). Officer Jordan, a 34 year member of the force, on Heather’s left led the efforts to create the unit. Both are fluent in ASL, well versed in Deaf culture and the D.C. Deaf community. These officers, with the support of their departments, show what’s possible and provide hope for better communication. This is a standard that cities and towns, especially with a critical mass of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, should be setting for their communities. Thank you Officers Jordan and Pomare for your leadership. #thankyou

The Access Board is proud to announce that we've issued a final rule setting a low transfer height for certain medical diagnostic equipment. ⚕️ Learn more about this rule, which is part of our Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment: https://lnkd.in/evKjgbRv On the final rule for Medical Diagnostic Equipment, Board Executive Director Sachin Pavithran said, “The Access Board is proud to issue these guidelines as a critical step toward equal #access in healthcare for people with #disabilities in America." “Technical guidance on transfer heights of medical diagnostic equipment is crucial to ensure people with disabilities have timely and equitable access to diagnostic testing, exams, and critical medical services," Pavithran continued.

🎉 Celebrating the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with GSA! #DYK Deputy Administrator Katy Kale serves as Chair of the United States Access Board? Together, we're committed to advancing accessibility & inclusion for all. https://ow.ly/MWK050SKnqX

As we near the end of Disability Pride Month, we look back at all the great work that has been done to advance #accessibility for people with disabilities #ThanksToTheADA, advocates, community members, & many more! 🎉 Learn more about the #ADA here: https://lnkd.in/erY7x6pV #ADA34

At our latest Board meeting, GSA Deputy Administrator Katy K. was elected Chair of the U.S. Access Board, and accessibility advocate Elver Ariza-Silva was elected Vice-Chair! Congratulations to them both, and we look forward to their leadership and guidance over the next year. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/geu9mFau