Adobe Applauds Committee Passage of Connected Government Act

Adobe Vice President & Public Sector Chief Technology Officer John Landwehr made the following statement today following the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s passage of the Connected Government Act (S. 1769):

Adobe commends the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for passing the Connected Government Act (S. 1769), which will help ensure government websites are mobile friendly. As more Americans turn to their mobile devices to access the internet and obtain government services, agencies need to ensure that their websites are easy to navigate and can be viewed on a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile devices.

The Connected Government Act represents a considerable step in the right direction, but more reforms are needed to modernize digital government services. Connecting with citizens and placing them at the heart of public services requires governments to go beyond functional needs to focus on the experience.

One area that government should focus greater attention on is the personalization of services. Agencies have the unique challenge of serving millions of diverse citizens who come to government for various reasons. That’s why personalization is critical for effectively communicating with each individual citizen.

Accessibility is also critical to improving government services. As a global leader in the software industry, Adobe believes that different abilities should never limit opportunities. That is why government should work with software companies to develop digital solutions that can be used by as many as possible so that people of all abilities are able to access and obtain the services they need.

Additionally, more attention should be focused on forms modernization. From filing taxes to enrolling in benefit programs, forms make up an integral part of the public sector’s interactions with citizens. Government organizations should modernize this key touchpoint with citizens by improving the online tools people use every day.

Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) as well as their House colleagues Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) should be commended for sponsoring this legislation and leading this initiative along with co-sponsors Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC). Now that the Connected Government Act has been reported out of committee in both the House and the Senate, Adobe encourages members in both chambers to support this legislation and jumpstart the modernization of digital government services.