Inclusive Africa: Sachin Pavithran on Global Accessibility and U.S. Leadership

As Executive Director of the U.S. Access Board, Dr. Sachin Pavithran brings deep expertise to Inclusive Africa. In this conversation, he reflects on global efforts to improve accessibility—from American regulation to African innovation. He highlights the U.S. model’s strengths and weaknesses, including the challenges of enforcement and reliance on lawsuits over incentives.

Dr. Pavithran stresses the global nature of accessibility and the urgency of sustained advocacy amid political shifts. He also discusses the anticipated impact of the European Accessibility Act on global business and tech. While clear-eyed about the threats to disability rights, Sachin remains focused on advancing access through practical, people-centered frameworks.

Relevant Links
U.S. Access Board: https://www.access-board.gov
European Accessibility Act: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1202