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Fall River disability commission outlines sensory-playground plan, highlights accessible community events
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Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Fall River Commission on Disability discussed a planned sensory playground at Abbott Court, confirmed outreach events and a May scholarship date, and approved minutes before adjourning.
Chairman Dennis Paselli convened the Fall River Commission on Disability on Jan. 14, 2026, and told members the commission will provide a fuller update next month on ADA work-group efforts to advance a sensory playground at Abbott Court after meeting with Mike Dion, director of the Community Development Agency.
Paselli said, “I just got a disturbing message that my recording is full, and I need to delete it,” then read the Open Meeting Law to the room before the roll call. The commission recorded that all members were present for the meeting: Paselli; Vice Chairwoman Debbie Pacheco; Commissioners Lisa Silva, Dan Robillard, Anne O'Neil Souza and Katie Driscoll.
Paselli said the ADA work group will meet with Mike Dion to discuss the Abbott Court project and that commissioners should expect a comprehensive report at the Feb. 11 meeting. He also reminded commissioners they received a December budget report and that the commission’s annual scholarship event is scheduled for May 16, 2026.
Commissioner Katie Driscoll announced Community Connections will host two accessible yoga sessions in partnership with the First Congregational Church on Rock Street and Heron Yoga Studios on Tuesday, Jan. 27 and Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. She said she will share flyers for the commission website and that the sessions are free. “These are free, and they are fully accessible and inclusive, open to the community,” Driscoll said. Driscoll also announced a webinar on financial planning focused on special-needs trusts and offered to circulate materials.
During old-business discussion, Paselli said he will follow up with Jeff Dugan about dates for an access-related outreach event anticipated in June 2026 and described a plan to open an office for city departments (including city operations, community maintenance, the housing authority, schools and police) to use as a hub for accessibility issues.
The commission had no policy updates. Members moved to approve the minutes from the November 2025 meeting; a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval. Toward the end of the session the commission moved, seconded and voted to adjourn.
The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2026.
