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Massachusetts Commission for the Blind reports budget progress, staffing moves and new pilots
Summary
At a virtual meeting, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind said it is in the budget 'maintenance' phase, has hired a budget director, is interviewing for a CFO, and will use awarded federal special-project funds for small projects and pre-employment transition services; staff also described a pilot automated phone attendant and a donated 10-line Braille demo unit.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) used a virtual meeting to update commissioners and the public on staffing, funding and pilot projects intended to strengthen services for people who are blind.
Commissioner John said the agency is in the budget 'maintenance' phase and that a budget director started this week. He said the commission will hold multiple interviews to fill a vacant chief financial officer position and hopes to expedite that hire to support agency fiscal operations.
John described MCB's federal special-projects application to the Rehabilitation Services Administration. 'We submitted a request for $700,000 and we received $1,252,' he said (the transcript records "$1,252" but does not specify whether that figure reflects dollars, thousands, or another unit). He added that this was the first time the agency's original request was cut and that 15% of any award must be dedicated to pre-employment transition services for youth ages 14–22. John said the agency expects to use part of the award on a couple of small projects aimed at increasing public awareness of career opportunities in blindness-related services.
Deputy Commissioner Justine described technology and customer-service work under way. Staff have met with a vendor about a cloud-based automated voice attendant that could route calls to staff extensions or to mobile numbers for employees who primarily telework. The vendor estimated the product could be operational in two to three months if MCB proceeds.
John also reported that MCB will receive a demonstration 10-line Braille display (identified in the meeting as the Monarch) from the American Printing House; the transcript records its cost as 'just under $15,000.' He said the device will be used as a demo for consumers, partner agencies and schools.
Commissioners and staff said these items are intended to improve outreach and operational responsiveness as the agency implements its annual programs. The commission did not take formal votes on these items at the meeting; staff said they will proceed with project planning, vendor follow-ups and candidate interviews for the CFO position.
What’s next: staff said they will contact applicants for the special-project funds, continue the CFO interview process and advance procurement steps for the automated phone attendant if approved by agency leadership.
