City PR:Mayor Creates Disability Affairs Committee

Posted by John B. Kelly

I finally got a copy of the city's press release announcing the formation of a disabilities commission. It still isn't posted at the city of Boston website, is there anything to that?

The creation of a committee is far less important to advocates than the commitment of the $15 million over five years for the curb cuts (as insufficient as that is). Does the city see the "committee" as less controversial with the anti-expenditure crowd?

CITY OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Office of the Mayor

Thomas M. Menino

For Immediate Release: For More Information Contact:

July 25, 2008 Press Office, 617 635-4461

Mayor Menino Announces Creation of

Disability Affairs Committee

Enhances existing office to better serve residents

Honoring the 18^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Mayor Thomas M. Menino alongside a number of advocates in Boston's disability community, today announced the creation of the City of Boston Disability Advisory Committee. The committee will consist of five to nine members, with a majority being disabled persons, at least one immediate family member of a disabled person, and one person appointed by Mayor Menino and acting as the Commissioner. The City of Boston currently has a Disability Affairs Commissioner; this committee would help advise the Commissioner as well as other departments within the City.

"Boston's strength comes from its residents," Mayor Menino said. "By making our city more accessible, we can make sure that all Bostonians can completely take part in city life. They can participate more fully in Boston's community and their contributions can strengthen our neighborhoods in even more ways."

The new committee will be tasked with working with the local disability community and researching issues; advising and assisting City departments; coordinating programs; reviewing and recommending policies, and general guidance on City department procedures. A state statute makes the creation of such a committee optional.

Mayor Menino also announced the creation of a Liaison to the Disability Community in his Office of Neighborhood Services, which would act as a representative to the community and the Mayor's Office. Mayor Menino called on the Boston City Council to approve the creation of this Committee as soon as possible so that the formation of the Committee could begin.

In the last Capital Budget, Mayor Menino set aside $15 million in a separate line item to specifically address curb cuts and pedestrian ramps that are not up to ADA codes.

The City has recently performed a comprehensive survey of the nearly 20,000 pedestrian ramps in Boston; through that survey, the City has categorized and prioritized ramps to be reconstructed.

Through additional staff training and stronger language in contracts, the City will also make sure that future projects are built appropriately and will not require reconstruction. In addition, the City's Election Department continues to work with representatives from the disability community to increase the accessibility of Boston's polling locations.