Message from the commissioner: Community Forum on Disability Issues

My Commission hosted its eighth annual Community Forum on Disability Issues at the end of May. This event gives people in the disability community an opportunity to speak about issues that are relevant to them, and to make their concerns about accessibility known to the Disability Commission Advisory Board and City officials. 

Attendees voiced their thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from accessibility at the Boston Public Library, to affordable and accessible housing, pedestrian safety, curb ramps, and the MBTA.

This event also gives me an opportunity to discuss the work that my Commission has completed since last year’s forum. Some of our of accomplishments include accessibility upgrades in City Hall, improved access to WAV taxi cabs, work with the City’s Disability Housing Task force to increase ADA built-out units in City-funded Development from 5% to 10%.

My office will be working with different agencies and stakeholders to address the concerns shared at the forum this year. We are already working with the Boston Public Library to provide a ramp at the main entrance to the Copley library on Dartmouth Street. We recently created an Accessibility Checklist to ensure that all public events are accessible to people with disabilities. And we are gearing up for a final push to get people to participate in our Accessibility Priority Survey, so that we can shape the City's strategic priorities for access.

We will continue to work hard every day to make sure Boston residents with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of life within the City of Boston.