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Commissioner for people with disabilities outlines ADA transition plan, ramp targets and employment goals
Summary
Kristin McCosh, the city’s disability commissioner and Title II ADA coordinator, told the Ways and Means committee the city is updating an old ADA transition plan, working with Public Works to install ramps under a consent decree target and pursuing steps to increase hiring of people with disabilities.
Kristin McCosh, Commissioner for the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the city’s ADA Title II coordinator, briefed the council on FY25 accomplishments and FY26 priorities, including an updated ADA transition plan, training, pedestrian access work and efforts to increase hiring of people with disabilities.
McCosh said the city is creating an interactive ADA transition plan with DoIT and an outside consultant to map building and street accessibility citywide, replacing an older static plan. On pedestrian access she described work with the streets cabinet and public works on sidewalks, audio pedestrian signals and accessible parking programs.
On the ramp program tied to a consent decree, McCosh said the parties agreed to a target of installing 1,600 curb ramps per year and that the city has devoted funding and staff to that work. She also addressed complaints about tactile warning surfaces on some new ramps, saying the city “did switch to requiring cast iron. So we have a powder coated yellow cast iron as the new city standard.” McCosh said the change was made because plastic tactile pads were failing under road salt and wear.
McCosh described employment initiatives to increase hiring of people with disabilities, including a volunteer hiring event during National Disability Employment Awareness Month that guarantees a first‑round interview to pre‑screened applicants who meet minimum qualifications, and plans to add a self‑identification field to the city hiring portal to collect voluntary data.
Why it matters: accessibility improvements affect residents with disabilities across Boston and are tied to federal ADA obligations. Councilors pressed for accountability, reports on ramp progress, and confirmation that capital funding and Public Works staffing back the ramp target.
Discussion versus action: McCosh described ongoing programs and a consent‑decree implementation path; the hearing did not change the consent decree or funding in this session.
Ending: McCosh said the office will post updated ADA transition plan data in FY26 and continue coordination with Public Works and other departments on ramps, sidewalks and hiring initiatives.
