Sachin Dev Pavithran elected as chair of the United States Access Board

Baltimore: The American National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s leading advocate for equal access by blind citizens, today congratulated member Sachin Dev Pavithran of Logan, Utah, who has been elected unanimously as chair of the United States Access Board.

Mr. Pavithran, who has served on the Access Board since his appointment by President Barack Obama in 2012, is program director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program at Utah State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Mr. Pavithran is a leader in the National Federation of the Blind of Utah, serving as the affiliate’s legislative director and on its board of directors, as well as serving on the NFB’s national Research and Development Committee. He is also a member of the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs National Board, Senator Orrin Hatch’s (President Pro Tempore) Disability Advisory Committee, and the National Multicultural Council of the Association of University Centers for Disabilities.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “We are delighted that our friend and colleague Sachin Pavithran has been unanimously elected by his peers to serve as chairman of this critically important agency, which sets standards and guidelines that have significantly enhanced the daily lives of the blind and other Americans with disabilities. We congratulate Mr. Pavithran on this honor and believe he will provide outstanding leadership as the Access Board continues its crucial work.”