An end-of-the-year recap on what’s been happening at MCDHH!
0:00 Title
0:25 Visual Description
0:40 Opening
1:13 Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board Announcement
2:07 New MCDHH Strategic Planning
3:06 Summer Community Visits
4:15 Continued Work on Workforce Development
5:23 New Referral Software
5:58 Future Plans for 2024 – Regional Listening Sessions
6:38 In Closing
Transcript Link: https://bit.ly/3RzzahY
Transcript:
0:00 The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
End of the Year Message: Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Commissioner of MCDHH
0:25 Visual Description:
Commissioner Sotonwa is wearing a light grey striped suit and a white shirt, paired with a black tie with white polka dots. There is a gold ring on his left ring finger. He is standing against a purple background.
0:40
Dear MCDHH Staff and Community Partners,
As we bid farewell to yet another remarkable year, I’m thrilled to take you on a journey through our collective accomplishments, celebrated milestones, and the exciting initiatives that await us in the future.
So, buckle up and join me as we reflect on the incredible moments that have made 2023 truly unforgettable.
1:13 Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board Announcement
In July, Governor Healey made a groundbreaking announcement—establishing the Digital Accessibility and Equity Board via Executive Order number 614.
The Governance Board will oversee all state agencies’ technological accessibility, a pivotal step in strengthening accessibility across digital applications and government services within the Commonwealth.This initiative is not just a policy; it’s a commitment to inclusivity and equal access for all.
2:07 New MCDHH Strategic Planning
Building on that momentum, we delved into a new chapter of growth with our MCDHH Strategic Plan, that is supported by Secretary Walsh and the talented team of Boston Consulting Group.
This strategic roadmap charts our course, guiding us toward better service delivery, tracking progress, and making a greater impact within our community.
We look forward to sharing more about our updated Strategic Plan with the community in the New Year.
3:06 Summer Community Visits
This summer, I had the pleasure of hitting the road for community visits. From the vibrant atmosphere of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Centers and schools to the heartwarming encounters at the Veterans’ Home in Holyoke, these visits were a highlight of my year.
It’s the personal connections that fuel our mission and bring new vistas on how best to connect and engage.
Your engagement with us also led to a short film we produced titled “On the Road with MCDHH,” which provided a more in-depth glimpse into the important work we do.
4:15 Continued Work on Workforce Development
Our commitment to workforce development remained unwavering. Throughout the year, we continued to tirelessly work on expanding opportunities and creating a more inclusive environment for all members of our community.
Working with community subject matter experts, we have crafted a robust action plan to address the shortage of communication access providers in the Commonwealth.
We are working hard to take advantage of Governor’s Healey’s MassReconnect Initiative to partner with community colleges to expand the pool of communication access providers as well as exploring new funding sources and partnerships.
5:23 New Referral Software
We also took a significant step forward toward revamping our referral software.
Our goal is to have a system built with business intelligence, that is intuitive to use for both community users and our referral team, making it more efficient and user-friendly to communication access service requesters.
5:58 Future Plans for 2024 – Regional Listening Sessions
As we turn the page and look ahead to 2024, I’m thrilled to share our plans to host regional listening sessions.
This collaborative initiative will give us an opportunity to engage with members of the community directly, ensuring that our programs and services align with your unique needs.
6:38 In Closing
I want to thank all MCDHH Staff for their dedication, commitment and hard work this year.
To our Statewide Advisory Council members, the community, and service providers — I express my deepest gratitude for your work, unwavering support, and collaboration.
Your invaluable feedback is integral to the progress we have made.
Together, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones, and I’m incredibly excited about the positive impact we’ll continue to make in the coming year.
Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. I wish you all a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!