Earlier this year, John Oliveira has been appointed as the official Commissioner, effective immediately. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh made this announcement today highlighting Oliveira's decades of experience and dedication to the people he serves, after serving as Acting Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind aims to support its consumers in living full, independent lives in communities throughout the Commonwealth. John Oliveira, an individual who has been legally blind since birth, has been at the forefront of advocating increased independence for people who are blind and visually impaired. With his promotion to the role of Commissioner, he will be in an even more influential position to work towards these goals and address the needs of the ever-evolving blindness community.
Oliveira's journey with MCB began in 1987 as a rehabilitation teacher, where he provided adaptive living skills to MCB's consumers. Over the years, he navigated through various roles within the organization, always focusing on supporting its mission and expanding opportunities for those who are blind and visually impaired in Massachusetts. According to mass.gov, he has held the positions of vocational rehabilitation counselor, employment services supervisor, director of training and staff development, and director of assistive technology. These roles have allowed him to learn every facet of MCB and find solutions for consumers with diverse needs.
During his 10-year tenure as Deputy Commissioner, Oliveira continued to seek opportunities to support autonomy for the blind and visually impaired in the Commonwealth. He consistently demonstrated a passion for helping individuals with complex needs to secure employment and utilize consumer services. His appointment as Acting Commissioner this past April and subsequent confirmation to the position of Commissioner reflect the trust and high regard held for him by both the blindness community and the state government.
In a statement, Oliveira expressed his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of the Commonwealth: “I am grateful and fortunate for this opportunity to continue to serve the residents of the Commonwealth who are legally blind, as well as the broader blindness community. I am looking forward to leading our dedicated staff as we continue working together to build on this agency’s tremendous history of providing social rehabilitation and employment opportunities to consumers with the goal of increasing their independence and full community participation.”
