A newly-created chief data know-how accessibility officer Gov. Maura Healey introduced Wednesday will probably be tasked with making the state’s digital functions extra accessible and “fully functional” for all residents.
The place, established by an government order Healey was anticipated to signal, will oversee the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board, a panel of state consultants tasked with strengthening and advancing digital accessibility in authorities operations.
Healey stated the board and the chief data know-how accessibility officer will work with “secretariat IT accessibility officers,” new state workers positioned in every of the manager departments. Metrics monitoring the board’s progress will probably be displayed on a “public-facing” dashboard, Healey stated.
“The establishment of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board represents our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and making government more accessible and equitable for all,” Healey stated in a ready assertion, which additionally marked Disability Pride Month and the thirty third anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Healey was scheduled to supply extra particulars concerning the board and the chief data accessibility officer at a ten:30 a.m. press convention contained in the State House. A duplicate of the manager order was not instantly obtainable early Wednesday morning.
Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder stated many individuals work together with state authorities companies on-line.
“Everyone has unique challenges, perspectives, and life experiences that affect how they interact with state services online,” Snyder stated in a press release. “When we build digital services for people with different needs, we build better for everyone.”
Members of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board additionally embrace secretaries of government officers, Healey’s deputy chief of employees for entry and alternative, the manager director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability, the commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
Members of the general public “with expertise or lived experience with digital accessibility issues” will even sit on the board, Healey stated.
“The issue of IT Accessibility has been critically important and vital to many people within state government for over 30 years and as I always say, ‘you cannot go backwards in life,’ but I am ecstatic that we are taking this important issue forward,” stated Massachusetts Office on Disability Executive Director Mary Mahon McCauley.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”