Live / Beyond the Minimums: Accessibility Webinar Series / Part 2: Disability Awareness Panel: Thoughtfully Supporting the Needs of Individuals with Disabilities in Your Programs and Services

Botten who currently works as an accessibility consultant joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000 and served for 22 years (retired in 2022) in several capacities while on staff including as a senior accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator. He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines and technical assistance materials for the rulemaking on outdoor developed areas. Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas.

Jennie worked in the field of childhood development and exceptional learning for nearly fifteen years. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Jennie joined PlayCore in 2008 and serves as the Community Outreach Director within PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research and Education. Deeply passionate about inclusive, intergenerational play, Jennie utilizes her expertise and personal experiences as an educator to positively impact the development of innovative play and recreation destinations that focus on community health and wellness.

Ali Everett, J.D., M.P.A, ADAC, CASp, is the Assistant Executive Director for the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability and a founding member of the California Network of ADA Coordinators. Prior to joining the City of Los Angeles, Ali served for seven years as the Accessibility Coordinator for the City of Pasadena in California. Ali attended Syracuse University where she obtained her law degree, master of public administration, certificate in disability law and policy, and certificate of advanced study in disability studies. Ali regularly presents on a variety of accessibility topics and enjoys working with ADA Coordinators to make communities more accessible for everyone.

Kathy Eng is a Senior ICT Accessibility Specialist at the Access Board. She provides guidance and technical assistance on Section 508. She co-leads several project teams to improve testing and identify best practices for implementing Section 508 compliance across government. She has been working in federal accessibility and accommodations since 1999 and holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Engineering.

Jan Garrett serves as the Deputy Director of ADA Programs for the Center on Disability and the Pacific ADA Center. She has 30 years of experience providing guidance and training on the ADA and other disability rights laws for businesses, state and local governments, recreation professionals, architects, people with disabilities, and others. As a person with a lived experience of disability who uses a power wheelchair for mobility, Jan has a deep personal understanding of why disability civil rights and accessibility are so important.