The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is taking a digital leap forward with the appointment of Ashley Bloom as the state's first Chief Information Technology Accessibility Officer, announced by the Healey-Driscoll administration. The state is paving the way for others to follow with only three other similar positions nationwide. As reported by Mass.gov, in her role, Bloom will lead efforts to ensure the state’s digital services are accessible for all residents, including individuals with disabilities.
Following Governor Maura Healey's move last year to sign Executive Order 614, Bloom will head the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board. Bringing over two decades of experience in advancing digital equity, Ashley Bloom is set to make state services available and functional for everyone, a duty she will undertake after leaving Fidelity Investments where she established a distinguished accessibility program, as Mass.gov details.
Governor Healey expressed her support, stating, “It was important for our administration to create the Chief Information Technology Accessibility Officer and the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board to ensure that all of state government is accessible for all of our residents, including those with disabilities,” according to the press release. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll also emphasized the importance of inclusivity in government services for individuals with disabilities or those facing language barriers.
Bloom’s first act as chair will be hosting the board's second meeting on January 24. She stated her commitment to representation and advocacy for the disability community as Mass.gov quoted, “As the first Chief IT Accessibility Officer for Massachusetts, I am honored to serve as a representative and an advocate for the disability community and to help create inclusive access to digital environments,”
EOTSS, which is responsible for coordinating the Administration’s IT activities, remains focused on digital accessibility and privacy concerns. The introduction of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program under their auspices aligns with the multi-year digital roadmap which centers residents' needs in their expanding digital future, clarifies their official announcement.
