Seattle, WA (March 20, 2013) – Architect Karen Braitmayer was unanimously elected Chair of the United States Access Board at the March 13 meeting in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama appointed Braitmayer to the Board in 2010. The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities.

“I’m honored to be elected Chair and look forward to working with this talented Board to increase accessibility in our communities for all citizens,” says Braitmayer.

Braitmayer is the founder of Karen Braitmayer, FAIA, Seattle, WA, an architectural consulting firm specializing in accessibility and accessible design.  She advises state agencies, local governments, school districts, developers and architects on accessibility for housing, commercial, retail, institutional and educational projects. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and served on the Advisory Board of the Northwest ADA Center and on the Board of the Northwest Center (for people with Developmental Disabilities). Braitmayer received a BA from Rice University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston.

Previously, Braitmayer served as Vice Chair of the Access Board and succeeds past Chair, Susan Brita, Deputy Administrator for the US General Services Administration, who will now serve as Vice Chair. Board members serve four-year terms and officers serve one-year terms.

Created in 1973, the Access Board ensures access to federally funded facilities and is a leading source of information on accessible design.  The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology.  The Board provides technical assistance and training on these requirements, accessible design and enforces accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities. To learn more, visit www.access-board.gov.