EOTSS Announces New Digital Accessibility and Equity Board Members
BOSTON – This week, the Digital Accessibility and Equity
Governance Board voted to confirm three new members to join the Board, further
strengthening and advancing digital accessibility and equity within
Massachusetts. As a result of the
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security’s (EOTSS) request for
applications from members of the public to join the Board, the three new
members bring valuable experience from outside of state government. These new members will be appointed by the
EOTSS Secretary in an advisory capacity for terms of two years.
The Board was formed
as a result of Executive Order 614, signed by Governor Healey in July 2023 on
the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Board advises
the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) and the Chief
IT Accessibility Officer (CIAO) on all aspects of policy, procurement and
operations matters where accessibility must be strengthened to bring the
services and information of state government to all residents. Since January, the Board has been meeting regularly
to develop a Board Charter and advance digital accessibility priorities.
“We were humbled to
have received dozens of applications from highly qualified individuals who
would make incredible additions to the Digital Equity and Accessibility
Governance Board,” said EOTSS Secretary and state Chief Information Officer
Jason Snyder. “Ensuring the public has robust representation on the DAEGB means
advancing the Healey-Driscoll priority of equity and inclusion, into the
digital space, and we at EOTSS are honored to welcome our newest Board
members.”
“I am excited to have
three accomplished leaders in the field of accessibility to join the Digital
Accessibility and Equity Governance Board,” said Chief IT Accessibility Officer
and Board Chair Ashley Bloom. “These
public members will provide valuable insight, expertise and experience for the
Board and Commonwealth to advance digital accessibility and equity. I am
looking forward to working with them toward the goal of creating a more
accessible and equitable Commonwealth.”
“I’m deeply honored
to be appointed as a public member to the Massachusetts Digital Accessibility
and Equity Governance Board,” said new board member Larry Goldberg. “I look forward to bringing my lifelong
experience in media and technology accessibility to the work of the Board and
helping Massachusetts serve all of our communities and people by embracing the
principles of ‘Born Accessible’”
"I am thrilled
to have the opportunity to serve on the Digital Accessibility and Equity
Governance Board. I wholeheartedly believe as technology continues to innovate
and flourish, it is critical that accessibility and universal design are
considered from the beginning of any project so that no one is excluded,” said
new board member Minh Ha. “I am eager to contribute my collaborative approach,
technical expertise, lived experience as someone with disabilities, and passion
for inclusion to guide the work of the Commonwealth going forward."
“Improving digital
accessibility is absolutely critical to members of the Commonwealth’s
disability community,” said David Kingsbury, who also joined the board. “Too
often, we have been denied access to employment, education, healthcare, and
general quality of life. I am hopeful that this Board can make major inroads in
improving access, and feel fortunate to be appointed a member.”
About the New
Members:
Larry Goldberg has driven accessibility initiatives
at Yahoo, WGBH/NCAM, and founded the TeachAccess and XRAccess accessibility
programs. He is a leader in accessibility multimedia and contributed to the
21st-Century Video and Communications Accessibility Act. He has served as an
accessibility advisor for major corporations including Apple and Google for
multimedia policies and standards, and provided accessibility expertise for
several legislative acts involving the White House and United Nations.
Minh Ha currently serves as the Chair of the
Accessibility Taskforce at Perkins School for the Blind. She is a subject
matter expert on disability and education, serving as past President of ACB
Blind Students Association for 5 years. She advocates for individuals with
disabilities and access to technology on a state and national level, and has a
great deal of experience training on assistive technologies for individuals
with disabilities.
David Kingsbury
is the current president of the Bay State Council of the Blind. An
accessibility leader in assistive technology and web accessibility, he has
written and been included in multiple publications on the subject. He
contributed his expertise to create an accessible voting election ballot for
MA, and contributes to several initiatives related to transportation throughout
MA to provide accessibility expertise.
For more information on the Digital Accessibility and Equity
Governance Board, please visit this link to the DAEGB website on Mass.gov.
As the state’s lead technology and cybersecurity
secretariat, EOTSS is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the
Administration’s information technology activities and ensuring that all
executive department agencies adhere to its published standards, policies, and
procedures. This enterprise approach provides a single, comprehensive framework
and ensures that the state is in alignment on all technology needs, including
data privacy, cybersecurity risk management, and now digital accessibility and equity
through the creation of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program.
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