Disability commission plans July flag raising and family-friendly ADA Day event; proposes movie screening

The Framingham Disability Commission agreed May 28 to pursue an early-July flag-raising photo opportunity and to plan a community ADA Day event focused on disability-led programming and education.

Chair Catherine Cuddy proposed raising the flag near the beginning of July instead of late in the month for greater visibility; commissioners agreed to a July 1 photo-op at 6 p.m., subject to City Hall scheduling. "If you wanted to have a speaker, I would definitely not get political," one commissioner said; the group favored a simple photo and social-post approach for the flag raising.

For ADA Day events around the July 26 anniversary, Commissioner Megan Todd proposed a family-friendly movie screening oriented to children and families and suggested Out of My Mind (available on Disney+) because it includes audio description and closed captioning. "I feel like it's important to educate people about why access matters," Todd said, describing a program of primarily disabled speakers followed by a screening and low-cost giveaways such as popcorn and shirts.

Library staff and the Framingham Memorial Building were identified as potential venues. Commissioner Juliet Santana recommended contacting Don De La Santa, director of the Framingham library, because the library co-sponsors film screenings and may handle rights or a licensing fee. Commissioners discussed holding the ADA Day screening in a downtown library auditorium or Evans Hall on a weekday evening; the commission asked staff to pursue library availability for Friday, July 25, or a nearby date.

Members also noted logistical steps: reserving the venue, checking health-department rules for food service or popcorn, confirming seating and audio-visual accessibility, and budgeting for licensing and giveaways. The commission asked staff to follow up with the library and city event staff and to return with confirmed dates and cost estimates.