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Concord commission presses for updated ADA self-evaluation and transition plan; finds 2006 report not readily accessible
Summary
The Commission on Disability discussed the town's lack of a current ADA self-evaluation and transition plan, noted a 2006 report by Adaptive Environments that may exist only in paper, and agreed to locate the document and plan next steps; commission members also discussed funding options and modest existing handicap-parking funds.
Town of Concord’s Commission on Disability discussed the need to complete a current ADA self-evaluation and an actionable transition plan that would inventory accessibility gaps across services, programs and facilities and prioritize fixes.
The topic matters because federal law requires public entities to perform a self-evaluation of services and to adopt a transition plan. Commission members said the town’s available public document—the 2016 transition plan for public rights of way—covers sidewalks but does not constitute a townwide transition plan for services and facilities. The commission asked staff to search for a 2006 report prepared by Adaptive Environments and to assess whether that report can be updated or whether a new self-evaluation is necessary.
Commission members described the legal requirement and practical steps. A commission speaker summarized: Concord is missing a current, townwide self-evaluation and transition plan that would set priorities and timelines across departments. Jessica (town staff) searched for the 2006 Adaptive Environments report during the meeting and reported that the report is not readily available on the town website and may exist in paper. She said the 2006 document should be checked to see whether it can be updated.
Members discussed options for producing a plan. One commissioner summarized typical consultant timelines and costs: an outside consultant for a town of Concord’s size often takes four to six months and could cost in the range of about $50,000 to $150,000; doing the work internally would take longer but be less costly in vendor fees. The commission also discussed potential funding sources: the commission confirmed there is a dedicated account of handicap parking fines with a balance of $5,530 that could be used for disability-related work, and members suggested exploring other department funds or state grants (for example, from the Massachusetts Office on Disabilities) to finance an updated evaluation or consultant support.
Commissioners recommended next steps: locate the 2006 Adaptive Environments report, update the town’s grievance procedure (the commission noted an APD grievance procedure dated 1997 and revised in 2012 still lists an outdated contact), and decide whether to pursue an internal update or retain a consultant. Members also suggested coordinating with the Select Board’s facilities/land‑use planning work so accessibility priorities can align with longer‑range facility changes.
The commission agreed to place the self-evaluation/transition-plan item on the next meeting agenda and to circulate any located reports to members in advance. No formal vote or contract award occurred at this meeting.
