A message form Commissioner McCosh: The Boston Disability Commission Advisory Board

Dear Disability Community Members, 



I hope you all are well and enjoying the cooler, crisper air. Soon the leaves will be changing and we will be fully into fall. How quickly time flies! On that note, I have some important information to share with you all this week about something you can get involved with as the weather gets colder and outdoor activities become less of an option for some.

 

Did you know that our office has a Disability Commission Advisory Board? 

 

The Advisory Board is made up of thirteen members who provide input on issues of importance to persons with disabilities who live, work, and visit Boston. These thirteen members are knowledgeable about these issues because the majority of them are people with disabilities themselves. Some Board members who do not identify as having a disability have a close personal connection with disability, giving them a valuable perspective. Each member lives in the City of Boston, and we try to make sure that many Boston neighborhoods are represented. 

 

So what does our Advisory Board do? 

 

The Board works closely with our office to inform and advise the City on policies and procedures that affect the disability community. What that means in practical terms is that Board members listen to presentations from City departments, and provide input on their projects and initiatives to ensure that they are fully accessible and inclusive. Recent Board meetings have had presentations from the Age Strong Commission and a local developer who is building Boston’s first LGBTQ-supported senior housing development. The Board gets a chance to ask questions and advise on this work with a disability lens. If there is an issue the Board feels strongly about at a City or State level, they can write a letter outlining their support or concern for an issue. They also bring up issues they’d like to have the City work on.

 

So how does one get involved with the Board? 

 

Come join us virtually for a monthly Advisory Board meeting! This Wednesday, September 23, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Advisory Board will be holding its monthly meeting on Google Meet. The Mayor’s Office on Immigrant Advancement will be sharing the work they have been doing in regards to COVID-19 response and some projects they are excited about in the coming months. Our office will also be providing an update on what we have been up to in the last month. We always welcome input from the public! So if you’d like to come and just listen, you’re welcome to do just that. Or, if you would like to raise an issue you’re concerned about, come let us know what’s on your mind during public input.

 

Below is the info to join either by computer or by phone. ASL is also confirmed for this meeting. 

 

Join the meeting online

Call in Number: 1-336-663-2528‬ PIN: ‪628 166 319‬#‬

 

If you have any questions or would like more information, you can contact us at disability@boston.gov. Until next week, please stay informed, stay safe, and make plans to attend our Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday!



Sincerely,

Commissioner Kristen McCosh