You need to be signed in to add your comment.

Notes from the November Accessibility Forum

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.

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.

Work has begun on a number of these ideas. We will share updates on the SomerVoice page once progress has been made.

Categories: accessibility

This event has concluded.