Accessibility commission plans outreach, website fixes and grant work; member to attend national amputee conference

Commissioners reviewed recent protocol items and partnerships, including possible collaboration with Habitat for Humanity to increase inclusive community events. Members discussed producing a friendly checklist to give local businesses on Title III obligations and noted the ADA coordinator’s authority is limited to city-owned property; the commission can share guidance with private businesses but cannot unilaterally change private property.

Members said a broken resource link was removed from the commission’s webpage pending an updated correct link and recommended quarterly checks of the commission web pages. Commissioners also discussed creating a dedicated commission email account to centralize inquiries and materials, which staff said they would pursue with the city’s IT department.

On long-range planning, the commission circulated a recent self-evaluation and transition plan and discussed the Massachusetts guidance that these documents be refreshed before applying for certain grants. Commissioners debated whether to use an outside grant-writing service or prepare grant requests in-house; staff agreed to check procurement and funding options and report back.

Unidentified Speaker (S6) said they will attend the Amputee Coalition meeting in Las Vegas to represent the commission at a national event. The meeting ended with routine adjournment.