Youth Guide to Street Services
Accessibility is an important part of enjoying the City to the fullest potential. This includes access to compliant curb ramps, crosswalks, and other accommodations.
The City of Boston is committed to providing safe streets for all. Over the next 10 years the City intends to provide residents with safe and usable sidewalks and curb ramps to achieve this goal.
Many City departments work together to manage Boston’s streets and follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Public Works Department builds, fixes, and maintains the streets, sidewalks and ramps. Boston 311 provides non-emergency help. The Disabilities Commission works to make sure people with disabilities can take part in all city activities.
Creating accessibility can be difficult, so the Streets Committee of the Mayor’s Youth Council has put together a list of departments, programs, and forms for Boston residents to access city services. With the help of residents, we can make the City safe for all.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Youth Engagement and Advancement
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1481 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02120
Boston 311
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1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe ADA Curb Ramp Request Form specifically alerts the City of locations where a curb ramp is non-compliant with the ADA or does not exist at all. In the City’s commitment to providing an accessible right of way for everyone, requests will generally be remediated within a year, and regular updates will be provided to the person who submitted the form.
The 311 General Form should be used for crosswalk restripping or new pavement markings, reporting a broken street sign, sidewalk repairs, and more services that could be found in the 311 Boston.
One way to make sure your 311 request is looked into in a timely manner is by contacting the Disability Commission (if your request is related to accessibility). Send them an email to let them know about your problem, and they can help follow-up with 311.
The Disability Commission Advisory Board hosts monthly meetings that are open for all to attend. In addition, public comment can be given at the end of each meeting. This is a great way for residents to have their voices heard and to get connected to accessibility resources.
Yes, it is possible to get raised crosswalks instead of ramps. It is a part of the City’s Neighborhood Slow Streets to improve pedestrian safety.
Specific requests usually take longer due to the multiple steps needed to start construction. Follow up often to inquire about the status of your project in order to stay informed.
A member from the Streets Cabinet will review all requests submitted through 311 or other streets related forms. Please reach out to publicworks@boston.gov to follow up on any requests.
According to the City of Boston Code, it is illegal to tamper with public infrastructure, which includes crosswalks.
For more information, reach out to the Streets Cabinet, Disabilities Commission, or 311.
Who is the MYC Streets Committee?
The Mayor’s Youth Council is a collection of high school youth in Boston who aim to bridge the gap between City government and youth. The council is designed to provide a platform for youth to voice their opinions, interact with City officials, and develop solutions to alleviate the challenges facing young people across the City of Boston.
The MYC Streets Committee consists of four MYC members: Ross Wilson, Bridget Blair, Thao Nguyen, and Ami Mai. Together, we worked to compile a page of resources and forms to easily access street services in the City. The Streets Committee was originally formed in 2024 and has worked to increase access ever since.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Youth Engagement and Advancement
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1481 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02120
Boston 311
-
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1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
