Proceedings of: Workshop on Improving Building Design for Persons with Low Vision

Introduction

I’m really pleased to be here. And I want to thank Vijay for being the instigator for this project.

Just a little bit about myself: I am director of the Office of Technical and Information Services with the U.S. Access Board. I am a person who is legally blind and I’m in the 2 percentile, for whatever that’s worth on that pie chart. And, just for the record, I want everyone here to understand that I do not have an age-related [disability]. I’ve been visually impaired pretty much since birth. Consequently, I think that perhaps I pass a little better than folks who acquire a vision impairment later.

I’m going to ask everyone a favor: When you speak, if you would identify yourself, that would make it easier for me to know who’s talking. Don’t assume I can see your nametag. You don’t want me looking at your chest to find out who you are. I’m famous for having introduced myself, of course, to my own father. I recognize people during a meeting over time, because I remember what they’re wearing. Tom’s got yellow on today; I know that. So I won’t lose Tom unless somebody loses him.

I want to talk about the Access Board, what our responsibilities are, what – how we do rulemaking. And so this is a real change of pace for this group, but Vijay made it clear from the get go that his goal was to have some enforceable standards. And to the extent that everybody here is going to support that goal, I think you need to know what you’re up against.