- Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
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Christopher Smith, Director of Legislative and External Affairs
Boston — Governor Maura Healey has officially proclaimed Thursday, May 15, as Massachusetts Accessibility Awareness Day, aligning with the annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) initiative. GAAD, first observed in 2012, aims to encourage everyone to prioritize and advance digital access and inclusion for people with all types of disabilities.
“On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we are recommitting ourselves to the mission of making all our state’s digital assets, accessible to all Massachusetts residents,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By continually advancing our digital accessibility work, we are making our state a leader in digital accessibility, while making sure that all residents, regardless of their disability status, can access our state’s IT systems for critical services and information.”
“The work we do to make sure our digital services and information is accessible to all members of our communities promotes meaningful engagement with state government for all our residents,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a great opportunity to keep digital accessibility in the spotlight as we work to lift up all Massachusetts residents by making state websites, resources and programs, accessible to everyone.”
The proclamation highlights several key initiatives in state government that advance digital accessibility, including the establishment of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board through Executive Order 614, chaired by the state's first Chief IT Accessibility Officer, as well as the Accessibility Center for Consulting, Education and Support Services (ACCESS) within the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, which leads and supports the Executive Branch to advance digital accessibility throughout state government. the Executive Branch to advance digital accessibility throughout state government.
The Global Accessibility Awareness Day proclamation also pays tribute to the cross-cabinet partnership among Executive Branch agencies in providing guidance and leadership on all forms of accessibility, including the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD), the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and other agencies whose missions include advancing accessibility.
“Today, making government digital services accessible means delivering on behalf of all of our residents,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder. “We are honored to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, in collaboration with all state government agencies that contribute to this initiative. We take pride in advancing the equity and accessibility objectives of the Healey-Driscoll Administration.”
“Global Accessibility Awareness Day provides the state with opportunities to engage in meaningful dialog concerning accessibility, learn from others in the field of accessibility, and growth to continue on the journey of creating an equitable and usable government,” said Chief Information Accessibility Officer Ashley Bloom. “The proclamation of Massachusetts Accessibility Awareness Day fosters an environment where we can celebrate our achievements and further engage with Commonwealth employees and constituents, while promoting accessibility and inclusivity across Massachusetts.”
“No one should be held back because they cannot access the information they need, especially from those in public service,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “I am grateful that we live in a state with an administration that values access to services and information and continues to support inclusivity and access every day.”
Massachusetts recognizes that digital accessibility is crucial for ensuring equal access to government services and information, aligning with the global goals of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. By promoting accessibility throughout state government, Massachusetts aims to set an example of inclusivity and encourage meaningful engagement with government from all populations, including the 26% of Massachusetts residents who identify as having a disability of some kind.
For more information about, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, please visit the GAAD website: https://accessibility.day
About the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security:
As the state’s lead technology secretariat, TSS coordinates the Administration’s information technology activities and strategy, and ensures that all executive department agencies adhere to its published standards, policies, and procedures. This enterprise approach provides a single, comprehensive framework to ensure that the state is in alignment to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Massachusetts’ data and information systems.
About the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services is comprised of 11 agencies and the MassHealth program. EOHHS seeks to promote the health, resilience, and independence of the nearly one in every three residents of the Commonwealth we serve. Our public health programs touch every community in the Commonwealth.
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