Accessibility Forum
This event has concluded.
The City of Somerville and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities are seeking feedback about how to make the community more accessible to those with disabilities. We are gathering online feedback through SomerVoice and hosting an in-person meeting in November. Here is how you can get involved!
Fill out our survey - Let us know a little bit more about your experiences in Somerville in relation to your disability (or a loved one's disability). Click "Survey & Forms" below.
Identify locations that are challenging to you - Is there a sidewalk you have trouble navigating? A building you wish was more accessible? Click "Places" below to put a pin in the map.
Share your ideas - What could make your life better in Somerville? Submit ideas to get other people's feedback on the "Ideas" tab.
Attend our meeting! - We will have a public meeting on November 12 at 6:00pm to gather more feedback about life with disabilities in Somerville. Join us at 165 Broadway to contribute to the conversation. Need any accommodations? Please contact Nency Salamoun at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.
Kreyòl Ayisyen: Pwojè sa se yon fason pou rasanble tout enkyètid rezidan yo genyen de koman lavil Somerville kapab pi aksesib pou moun ki gen andikap. Pou entèpretasyon sou pwojè sa, tanpri kontakte 617-666-3311 oubyen voye on email nan: SomerViv@SomervilleMA.gov.
Português: Este projeto trata de solicitar feedback sobre como a cidade pode ser mais acessível para pessoas com deficiência. Para tradução em português sobre este projeto, entre em contato com 617-666-3311 ou por e-mail SomerVivaPort@SomervilleMA.gov.
Español: Este proyecto se trata de recopilar comentarios sobre cómo la ciudad puede ser más accesible para las personas con discapacidad. Para obtener información sobre este proyecto, comuníquese con 617-666-3311 o por correo electrónico SomerVivaEspanol@SomervilleMA.gov.
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Notes from the November Accessibility Forum
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Thank you to those who were able to join us in person at our November 12 Accessibility Forum! The forum was hosted in partnership between the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. We had about twenty people in attendance in addition to online participation.
Following are the topics suggested by those who participated in person.
Work has begun on a number of these ideas. We will share updates on the SomerVoice page once progress has been made.- Add accessibility drop down tag/category on online 311.
- Accessibility of new HP spaces for new developments on public streets.
- Accessibility of new on street HP spaces at separated bike lanes, can’t access curb directly with van lifts.
- Concern about the difference between parking lot and public ROW regulations.
- Frustration that problem identification takes many months to years to resolve.
- Concern that many accessibility issues are missed because there is few disabled staff members
- City should focus more on Universal design, not just meet accessibility regulations; we should set a higher standard.
- City should have staff whose primary focus is to inspect accessibility compliance.
- Concern with physical & cognitive (in)ability to cross under I-93 to Assembly Sq.
- Inclusionary development bonuses should increase the number of accessible spaces beyond what is required by MAAB.
- Severe shortage of accessible housing stock.
- Accessible units need to be incorporated with affordable units, since disabled are disproportionately poor.
- The City should develop an accessible residential unit database, how many are there and how many are occupied by disabled.
- Somerville has a number of older residents that may not be legally disabled, but still have difficulty navigating the City. They may have an inability to see a change in level, and require more crosswalks.
- If we want the City to be more car-free, we need to improve the physical walkability of the sidewalks.
- Can police better enforce traffic & crosswalk infractions
- Concern about motorists stopping in crosswalk to view turns
- Can we remove parking within a certain number of feet of crosswalks
- Crosswalks are set back from the curb too far, making it difficult for motorists to see pedestrians
- Inclusive education for disabled students in the public school system, especially within the general classrooms
- Inclusive/universal design in furniture selections, especially at schools
- ADA noncompliance at city buildings, especially Brown and City Hall
- Gilman Sq/community path elevator to Somerville High School field
- Lack of prompt construction, especially with regards to accessible routes (Medford St)
- We should revisit the accessibility transition plan.
- Trees shouldn’t be installed/planted if we can’t guarantee that they will not impact accessibility
- Workplace (non-public) city buildings don’t have to be accessible, but we should make them so
- Interest in cognitive impairment included in our studies (not sure exactly what they mean)
- Sensory impairment feedback, especially with the urbanization of certain commercial squares
- When advertising activities, events, etc note which ones are & are not accessible.
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