Commission to hold 'Meeting the Moment' in Lowell; MOD announces municipal accessibility grant
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Summary
Chair Denise Garland announced a March 27 'Meeting the Moment' forum at UMass Lowell and encouraged commissioners to help with outreach; Megan McCray of the Massachusetts Office on Disability described an expanding municipal grant program (recent totals 'upwards of $3,000,000') and noted an April 26 digital accessibility deadline and an expected grant launch around May 1.
The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities announced plans for the second "Meeting the Moment" community forum and resource fair and received a brief update from the Massachusetts Office on Disability about municipal accessibility grants.
Chair Denise Garland said the Lowell event will take place Friday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UMass Lowell's Crossing and will focus on digital accessibility, education‑to‑employment transitions, workforce supports, long‑term services and health equity; the event will include hybrid community conversations and an in‑person resource fair to connect attendees with state agencies and local organizations. Garland thanked the legislator who helped secure the venue and asked commissioners and advisory council members to assist with outreach and planning.
In a separate announcement, Megan McCray of the Massachusetts Office on Disability described a municipal grant program that supports accessibility projects — from ramps to digital accessibility upgrades — and said total funding for the program has grown "upwards of $3,000,000" in recent years. McCray said grants are open to towns, cities, regional planning groups and housing authorities, and that the office expects the program to go live around May 1 (date not final). She also noted an April 26 deadline for digital accessibility related work for entities subject to the deadline.
The commission reviewed subcommittee activity (disability employment, long‑term services and health equity) and heard that the personal care attendant working group will submit recommendations to the legislature this month. Chair Garland closed the meeting by urging participation in the Lowell event and reminding commissioners about October planning for the commission's employer award and National Disability Employment Awareness Month activities.
No formal votes were taken on grants or events during the meeting; staff will follow up with the Massachusetts Office on Disability for grant webpages and guidance resources.