SECOND MEETING SCHEDULED TO REVIEW CITY’S ACCESSIBILITY SELF-EVALUATION PLAN

At

the meeting, which is cosponsored by the Somerville Commission for Persons with

Disabilities,  community feedback will be

gathered that will develop the Self-Evaluation report into a living, multiyear

Transition Plan to create equal access for all to the city's streets,

sidewalks, buildings, parks and programs. Residents may also send questions and

comments on the report via e-mail or phone. The report is available online at www.somervillema.gov/departments/personnel/ADA

by clicking the link "Self-Evaluation

Plan" on the right-hand side of the

page.

The

completed Self-Evaluation, which outlines a physical inventory of the City's

infrastructure and existing policies, practices and procedures regarding

accessibility and identifies existing barriers to equal access, was delivered

to the City on August 12 by the nonprofit Institute for Human Centered Design

Firm of Boston, which was hired by the City to prepare the report. The report

will form the basis for the Transition Plan which, when combined with public input,

will detail the methodology and outline the timeframe for removing those

barriers.

"Public feedback is critical to assisting the City in

prioritizing the barriers and issues identified in the Self-Evaluation that, if

addressed, can make an immediate and meaningful difference in residents' daily

lives," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. "The Plan, compiled by XX, includes a

comprehensive and detailed list of City infrastructure and has recently been

lauded by Massachusetts Office on Disability as 'the new standard' in similar

plan creation for communities throughout the Commonwealth. This is a process

years in the making and the City owes thanks to the community, the Somerville

Commission for Persons with Disabilities and other community advocates. Thanks

to their advocacy and work, these plans are becoming reality."

"The City has been informed that Massachusetts Office on

Disability officials consider its Self-Evaluation report 'the best [they']ve

ever seen' and that our plan will now serve as 'the State's new standard for

the state-of-the-art,' said Betsy Allen, the City's ADA Coordinator.  "Here, in Somerville, we are always inspired

to set new standards and we work hard to come up with smart solutions to complex,

intractable problems. We're pleased that our report will be the new model for

cities and towns that have yet to undertake an evaluation and are tackling the complex

issue of creating equal access. Yet, inasmuch as we appreciate the input and are

encouraged by the accolades from State officials and others, the critical input

and feedback we continue to seek are those of our community, City residents,

persons with disabilities whose lives are directly impacted by the work that we

do and the priorities that we set. We want and need to hear about the things

they feel will make a substantial and appreciable difference in their daily

lives.  We need and highly value the

community's continued input. Let us resolve to remain passionate, committed,

vocal and highly engaged in this extremely worthwhile effort."

The Self-Evaluation and Transition plans are part of the

City's overall efforts to address accessibility throughout Somerville, along

with the new

Streetscape Plan and the active contributions of the Somerville Commission

for Persons with Disabilities. The Commission meets monthly and works with the

ADA Coordinator to knock down barriers. New Commission members are welcome.

To learn more about the City's comprehensive plans to create

equal access for all, please contact ADA Coordinator Betsy Allen at 617-625-6600

ext. 2323 or by email at ballen@somervillema.gov.