Webinar: Open Q & A

Bill Botten

Accessibility Specialist Office of Technical and Information Services US Access Board

William (Bill) R. Botten, an Exercise Physiology graduate from the University of Kansas, joined the US Access Board in May of 2000. Previously, he was Director of the Office of Accessible Seating/Services for Centre Management, a national sports arena management company. His responsibilities included ensuring compliance with State and Federal accessibility requirements at all managed properties, as well as working with design and construction officials during arena construction and alterations. His training experience includes hundreds of presentations over the last 20 years to local, state, and national audiences on injury prevention, disability awareness and sensitivity, and accessibility issues. He was part of a team that developed the new combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. Bill specializes in access issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas. He also provides technical assistance to the building design and construction industry as well as State and Federal agencies and consumers with disabilities.

Earlene Sesker

Accessibility Specialist US Access Board, Office of Technical and Information Services

Earlene Sesker has served as an accessibility specialist at the Access Board for over 20 years where she provides technical assistance to the public on its accessibility guidelines and standards. Her responsibilities include providing expert technical assistance and training on accessibility guidelines and standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). This includes the 2010 ADA Accessibility Standards and the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards.

Earlene also oversees the Board's training program, fielding training requests and organizing training sessions and webinars, among other program duties. The Board regularly conducts training on its accessibility guidelines and standards upon request at various events and conferences across the county. In addition, it conducts a monthly webinar series in partnership with National Network of ADA Centers.

She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas. Earlene is a frequent speaker before organizations in the design, construction, and facility’s management industries and has developed numerous training programs and seminars for those responsible for the application of the accessibility guidelines. She is currently overseeing the development of the Medical Diagnostic Equipment Standards