Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility (EITA) Advisory Council

History: HB 1342 created the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Task Force in March 2003 to study and prepare recommendations concerning the accessibility of publicly produced and provided electronic and information technology for people with disabilities of Oklahoma's state agencies. The task force surveyed state agencies and submitted a report of its findings approximately January 1, 2004. The task force recommended new Oklahoma legislation that would require state agencies to procure, develop, and maintain electronic and information technology that is accessible and provides equal access to individuals with disabilities. Representative Abe Deutschendorf and Senator Gilmer Capps were the leading legislators for both pieces of legislation.  They continued capacity as co-chairs of the EITA Advisory Council. 

HB 2197 was drafted and was signed into law in April 2004. HB 2197 also transitioned the task force into an Advisory Council. For more information about the EITA Advisory Council please call Oklahoma ABLE Tech at (800) 257-1705.

SB871 passed in April 13, 2009 updated the council membership. 

Excerpt from HB 2197: “The Advisory Council shall study and make recommendations concerning the accessibility for the disabled to publicly produced and provided electronic and information technology and to provide advice and assistance to the Information Services Division of the Office of State Finance on the development of accessibility standards and complaint procedures.” 

Oklahoma Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility
Advisory Council Members

The Advisory Council shall study and make recommendations concerning the accessibility for the disabled to publicly produced and provided electronic and information technology and to provide advice and assistance to the Information Services Division of the Office of State Finance on the development of accessibility standards and complaint procedures.

The Advisory Council shall be composed of the following members:

Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

1. Representative John Enns, Reappointed, co-chair 

2. Representative Lee Denney, House of Representatives

Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

3. Senator Jim Halligan, Oklahoma Senate

4. Senate position unfilled 

5. The Director of the Office of State Finance, or a designee; Joseph M. Fleckinger

6. The Director of the Department of Central Services, or a designee; Gerry Smedley

7.  The Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, or a designee; Jonathan Woodward (designee)

8. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, or a designee; Lisa Pryor, Assistant Superintendent

9. The State Director of the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education, or a designee; David Jinks

10. The Director of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped with the State Department of Rehabilitation, or a designee; Vicky Golightly

11. The Director of the Office of Handicapped Concerns, or a designee; Steve Stokes

12. A representative of OneNet, the state telecommunications network within the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Ed Eckenstein, Web Administrator, 3800 North Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-530-8800

13. The Project Manager for Oklahoma Able Tech, the state assistive technology project located at Oklahoma State University; Linda Jaco; Brenda Dawes (Designee)

14. A representative of state agency web managers appointed by the Governor from a list submitted by a state agency web manager group; Rodney Davidson

15. A representative of an association representing education technology administrators appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Shawn Himes, Superintendent of Enid Public

16. A representative of an association of distance learning education professionals appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; Steven Cade, Executive Director Oklahoma Distance Learning Association.

Two representatives of corporations or vendors of information or electronic technology hardware or software who are knowledgeable or have experience in the field of assistive technology appointed by the Governor; 

17. Mike Robichaux, DocSoft

18. Mark Mitchell, General Manager, www.OK.gov.

19. A representative of a corporation or vendor specializing in assistive technology appointed by the Governor; Vincent Cianfrone, NanoPac, Inc.

Four representatives who are individuals with a disability, one who is blind or visually impaired, one who is deaf or hard of hearing, one with a mobility disability, and one with a cognitive disability and all of whom are users of information or electronic technology appointed by the Governor.
20. James E. Fox, consumer
21. Jason Price, Department of Rehabilitation Services
22. Julie Brantley, Department of Rehabilitation Services
23. Larry Slaughter, Hearing Loss Association OKC Chapter