Digital Accessibility and Tech Equity Take Flight at FAA on May 16

Photo of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day Panelist

Photo of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day Symposium: Pictured from left to right Carl Lee, Tony Coelho, Rachel Patterson, and Alison Levy

Watch the FAA Global Accessibility Awareness Day Symposium

FAA HQ Orville Wright Building Room

 Many of us experience challenges that occasionally or routinely impact our ability to fully use IT to support our work and personal pursuits. Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone who understood the requirements and who was advocating for access and equity?

There are actually several, across multiple agencies within the Federal government. The FAA will host a live Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Symposium on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 ET. The event will be hosted live from FAA HQ (Orville Wright Building Room 209) and web-streamed agency-wide. Digital Accessibility and Tech Equity Take Flight will feature a panel discussion focused on the White House/Office of Management and Budget-led initiative to advance IT Inclusivity and Accessibility (ITIA) across the federal government. 

Hosted by the Office of Information and Technology,

  • Natesh Manikoth, Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO)

  • Mary Bisset, Director of Business Partnership Management

  • Carl Lee, Program Manager, Business Partnership Management & NCFAED National Director of Visual Disabilities

  • Nathan McCoy, Division Manager of Service Delivery & NCFEAD National President

The panel included:

  • Rachel Patterson, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

  • Alison Levy, Director, Office of Technical and Information Services, U.S. Access Board

  • Tony Coelho, Former U.S. Congressperson and Sponsor, American's with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • Michele Magana, Director, DOT Disability Resource Center

  • Laura Tronge, Program Manager, FAA National Disability Program

The program opened remarks from FAA Chief Information Officer (Acting), Natesh Manikoth, and Director, AIT Business Partnership Service (Acting), Mary Bisset, and conclude with remarks from Assistant Administrator for Civil Rights, John P. Benison. 

GAAD endeavors to advance our dialogue around digital access and inclusion for the Billion+ people with disabilities/impairments.

Photo of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day Symposium: Pictured from left to right Carl Lee, Rachel Patterson, Alison Levy, Tony Coelho, John Benison and Mary Bisset.

Published Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Updated: Tuesday, January 21, 2025