Northborough DEIB committee approves town accessibility and language-assistance notice

Angie Soudon, a committee member, read a revised accessibility and language-assistance notice and moved that the committee approve it. The notice opens: "The Town Northborough is committed to providing equal access to its programs, services, activities, meetings, and communications." After discussion of specific wording and accommodations the committee carried the motion by roll call.

Mary Alexandra Molina, the committee chair, said members had suggested small edits including adding 'gender, gender identity' and clarifying "communication or language assistance." Soudon proposed that the committee designate an "accessibility and inclusion coordinator" and establish a dedicated contact email for requests. Deidre Redding seconded the motion. The committee voted with the mover and second on the record; members confirmed the notice language and immediate next steps for outreach and posting.

Why it matters: the notice is the committee’s first formal, publicly posted statement about reasonable accommodations and the town’s nondiscrimination expectations; the language will be used on agendas, handouts and the committee’s online communications. The committee directed staff and volunteers to implement the notice and to refine contact details and default accommodations before broader distribution.