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Candidates pledge stronger accessibility and paratransit support after Malden disability commission question
Summary
Responding to Malden Disability Commission concerns, candidates endorsed Complete Streets, paratransit funding and universal-design approaches and described steps—mini-high platforms, targeted grants and community engagement—to expand accessible transit across the district.
Lisa Picardi, a member of Malden's Disability Commission, asked how candidates would lobby for funding and adapted infrastructure to serve people with transportation disabilities and winter weather challenges.
Ryan O'Malley said paratransit is a lifeline and pledged to expand Complete Streets funding with targeted interventions for mobility-restricted users. "Complete Streets is the way to do it so that they have to build it in a way that actually takes every and all users in mind," he said.
Carrie McDonald emphasized working with advocates and said universal-design fixes (curb cuts, better sidewalks) and direct paratransit funding are priorities; she proposed testing helmet education and broader built-environment improvements that benefit people with mobility challenges. Kate Lipurgarabedian described tactics to increase accessible commuter-rail service, including mini-high platforms and working with federal and MBTA rules to restore or deploy lower-cost accessibility measures where full platforms are not immediately feasible.
All candidates underscored coordinating with local advocates and agencies to prioritize investments and technical assistance for municipalities.
