Dear Editor,
Last Wednesday, the Disability Commission heard the results from the ADA study which was funded by a grant. The Commission engaged KMA, LLC in Newton to conduct the study and recommendations. 105 residents responded to the survey which is exceptional for a municipality and this study type.
City properties comply with a lot in the ADA. However, there are areas needing improvement, such as fixing elevators, resurfacing parking lot and having signage. The Phillips School and Senior Center needed addressing. The non-school polling places were part of the study and there’s room for improvement there. School use in elections will be studied later.
The good news is that many improvements can happen programmatically by adding “request for accommodations can be made” to agendas and applications, for example. Advertising accommodation aides would also be helpful An audit of city aides will be performed. It would be beneficial to know what locations have a Meeting Owl for hybrid meetings.
The study can be requested from the Disability Commission, and the meeting can be seen here http://vodwcatv.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/3920?site=3 The Commission will inform City departments of the needed changes. However, for businesses, Rotary Club, political party groups and others who put on events or conduct meetings, this may help increase engagement. Please read this study.
Thanks,
Rita Colafella
Watertown Resident