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Bill

S 2118

An Act increasing government accessibility for persons who are blind or visually impaired

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford

Massachusetts bill mandates state agencies improve digital and physical accessibility for blind and visually impaired residents through enforceable standards and compliance requirements.

Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM in A-1 and virtual
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Bill Summary · S 2118

Legislative bill overview

S 2118 requires Massachusetts state government agencies to improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals by establishing standards for digital and physical access to government services and information. The bill mandates compliance with accessibility guidelines and creates accountability measures for state agencies to ensure equal access to government programs and facilities.

Why is this important

Blind and visually impaired residents currently face barriers accessing critical government services including benefits applications, licensing, voting, and public information. Improved accessibility removes these barriers, enabling full participation in civic life and access to services these individuals are entitled to use, while also reducing potential compliance issues for agencies under existing federal accessibility laws.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Retrofitting digital systems and physical spaces to meet accessibility standards requires significant upfront investment across multiple agencies, raising questions about budget allocation and timelines
  • Scope and enforcement mechanisms: Disagreement may arise over which specific accessibility standards apply, how compliance is measured, and whether penalties for non-compliance are appropriate or too burdensome
  • Technology vendor dependencies: State agencies may face challenges working with existing technology contractors who may require expensive updates to provide accessible systems, potentially limiting vendor options and increasing procurement complexity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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