A Conversation with Sanchin Pavithran – Resources

Guest: Dr. Sachin Pavithran, Executive Director of the United States Access Board
Host: Peter Blanck, Ph.D., J.D., Chairman, Burton Blatt Institute, University Professor, Syracuse University
Recording Date: August 22, 2022
Archive:
A Conversation with Sanchin Pavithran

Contents

About the 504@50 Podcast Series

504@50 is a special interview series created in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In the series, we speak with leaders of the disability rights movement who advance the cause of equal rights through their tireless work.

The 504@50 Series is produced by the Southeast ADA Center, the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and in collaboration with the Disability Inclusive Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. Check out the Section 504@50 website at section504at50.org

About This Episode

In this interview, Dr. Sanchin Pavithran, executive director of the US Access Board, and Dr. Peter Blanck discuss the importance of society becoming more inclusive of people with disabilities. Dr. Pavithran says enforcing policies is an important part of inclusion. He says it is not enough to create laws and regulations that aim to support people with disabilities, they must also be enforced. He discusses the Architectural Barriers Act as an underrated but critical piece of disability rights in 2023.

Dr. Pavithran also talks about inclusive education and improving vocational rehabilitation programs to address the disparities people with disabilities face. He also discusses the importance of maintaining multidimensional ways of supporting people with disabilities and emphasizes that digital accessibility is one of the most important aspects of disability inclusion.

Learn More About the U.S. Access Board

Information and Communication Technology (Section 508)

  • Section 508 (Federal Electronic and Information Technology)
    The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, specifically Section 508, requires that when U.S. Federal government agencies develop, procure, or maintain, information and communication technology (ICT) that the technology is accessible to persons with disabilities.
    Link: section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies
  • Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series
    This series of webinars will help federal agencies have the information they need to meet their obligations under Section 508. The series is co-sponsored by the Accessibility Committee of the CIO Council, the U.S. Access Board, and eFedLink/ODEP. Archived webinars available.
    Source: Great Lakes ADA Center
    Web: accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508
    Archived Webinars: accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/archives
  • Article: NY [New York] Reaches Agreement with DOJ Over Vaccine Access for Blind People
    Dr. Pavithran was interviewed about federal website accessibility.
    Source: Kaiser Health News (October 8, 2021)
    Link: khn.org/news/article/ny-reaches-agreement-with-doj-over-vaccine-access-for-blind-people

Section 504 Resources

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Visit the Section 504@50 website at: section504at50.org
The 504@50 Series is produced by the Southeast ADA Center, the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, and in collaboration with the Disability Inclusive Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center.