President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
US Access Board
9 September 2015

President Barack Obama has named Victor Santiago Pineda (M.C.P '06) to the United States Access Board. The Access Board, also known as the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board, is an independent Federal agency that provides leadership in accessible design under the ADA and other laws. President Obama said, “I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country.  They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them.”

Victor Pineda was a UC Berkeley Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow under Professor Michael Dear and a Lecturer in City and Regional Planning in 2012. Professor Dear stated, “This appointment is a tremendous achievement recognizing Victor's enormous contributions to the field.”

Victor's research projects explore disability in the built environment through history, medical anthropology, policy, planning and regional development.  On the Access Board, Victor has been nominated as the Chair of a committee developing regulations on passenger vehicles. In the next few years the board will be addressing access regulations in a variety of areas including medical diagnostic equipment, trains, and smart homes/smart appliances.