Brian Patchett

Council Member

Bossier City, Louisiana

Brian Patchett is president & CEO of Louisiana Association for the Blind. He has been a leader in the field of health and social services for over 25 years, building organizations that deliver employment and rehabilitation services for people with visual and other disabilities and worked closely with leaders at the national level to strengthen service organizations in the U.S. and around the world.

He has had a visual impairment since age 7 and he has been a self-advocate and for other people with disabilities throughout his life.

During his undergraduate time at Utah State University, he worked with the University Affiliate Program on Disability, advising people across the state on Assistive Technology and The Americans with Disability Act. He received his Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University as well as a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. He counseled students with disabilities to help them be successful in college and in their future endeavors. He also spent 3.5 years studying the Russian language in college, and two summers in Russia on an exchange talking about disability-related issues.

From his time in college until now, he worked in the field of assistive technology, promoting independence for people with disabilities. He chaired the Nevada Governor’s Council for people with disabilities and served as a member of the Nevada Developmental Disabilities Council for 14 years. He sat on state rehabilitation councils in both Nevada and Louisiana. He served as a lobbyist for 10 years helping to support several legislative initiatives, and was influential in passing legislation to improve independence for people with disabilities. The results were improved access to early intervention services, independent living skills, and making voting accessible.

He started his career as the Director for Assistive Technology at Easterseals Washington and the manager of the Eastern Washington office for three years, then the Vice President for Easterseals Arizona for 6 years. He built many programs and services from the ground up including assistive technology, employment services, independent living and in home care services for seniors and people with disabilities. He was the CEO of Easterseals, Nevada in Las Vegas for 15 years and North Central Sight Services in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for three years. Currently, he is President & CEO for Louisiana Association of the Blind where he have been for 2.5 years. He implemented significant changes while collaborating closely with colleagues to improve technology, employment services, and accessibility for our employees and clients across the community.

His work in public policy and advocate in Louisiana as a member of the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council and with the State Legislature. He serves on the board at Vision Serve Alliances and co-chairs the Public Policy Committee. He is a member of the Public Policy Committee for National Association on Employment for People with Disabilities (NAEPB).