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RubyConf 2019 - How to use Your Superpowers to Transform People's Lives by Alberto Colon Viera Have you ever thought about how government services should actually meet people's expectations? Have you ever considered using your skill sets to transform the way government operates? Even if you haven't, you have to interact with government in your everyday life. Imagine being able to use your programming and technical superpowers to design a new government. You'll hear about how the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) team at the Small Business Administration redesigned the experience for small business owners. And we used ruby! You'll also learn about the civic tech ecosystem and other organizations from where you can contribute, as well as how USDS keeps transforming people's lives at other agencies. #confreaks #rubyconf2019
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The video, titled "How to use Your Superpowers to Transform People's Lives" and presented by Alberto Colon Viera at RubyConf 2019, revolves around leveraging technology and skills to enhance government services and improve citizen experiences. Viera, an engineer with the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), shares insights on redefining governmental processes to better meet public expectations. Key points discussed include: - The importance of addressing government failures, exemplified by the problematic launch of healthcare.gov in 2013, which ultimately required intervention from private sector technologists to stabilize. - The establishment of the U.S. Digital Service after the healthcare.gov crisis, focused on recruiting skilled designers, engineers, and tech-savvy individuals to improve federal services. - The impact of ineffective systems on small businesses, particularly those participating in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) HUBZone program, where outdated tools hindered compliance and business growth. - A comprehensive overview of how Viera's team modernized the HUBZone program using Ruby on Rails to create an accessible map application that accurately reflected HUBZone qualifications, thus facilitating better decision-making for small businesses. - A discussion on the need for inclusivity in development teams, emphasizing representation from diverse communities. - The call for civic engagement through organizations like Code for America and opportunities such as the U.S. Digital Service, which aim to incorporate technology into public service. - Closing thoughts on how technology can transform government operations and deliver better experiences for citizens, encouraging technologists to contribute their skills for the public good. In summary, Viera highlights the pivotal role of technology in government transformation and the positive impact it can have on individual lives, urging more professionals to engage in civic tech initiatives.
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