Jeffrey’s Access Corner By Jeffrey Dougan In this edition of Jeffrey’s Access Corner I want to discuss with you a topic that has been brought to my attention a couple of times recently regarding the provision of alternate accessible toilet stalls, specifically when accessible toilets …Continue Reading Alternate Toilet Accessible Stall aka Ambulatory Accessible Compartments
Since 2007, MOD has been hosting Personal Emergency Preparedness meetings throughout the Commonwealth (visit our webpage at www.mass.gov/mod/prepare). This program is funded through a grant that MOD receives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Grants and Training, through the Executive Office …Continue Reading Personal Emergency Preparedness Program Update
Our office is pleased to provide technical assistance to our colleagues at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) regarding disability related matters and to help spread the word about the attainable Savings Plan. Recently the ABLE Act and Attainable Program have seen modifications to the …Continue Reading Changes to the Attainable Program
I am very excited to start my position as the Training and Communications Specialist at the MOD. My responsibilities focus on Statewide training and outreach to help strengthen the mission of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I am a Boston native and spent numerous …Continue Reading Introducing Moss Lynch
My name is Jakira Rogers, and I am very excited to be taking on the role of Access Specialist within the Community Services Unit of MOD. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and I am glad to be continuing my journey in the heart of Boston. I …Continue Reading Introducing Jakira Rogers
The Massachusetts Office on Disability annual Summit began in 2015. This event was designed to inspire leaders, advocates, and persons with disabilities to come together to focus on issues that impact the disability community. Join us on October 5, 2018 for a robust program that …Continue Reading Fourth Annual Disability Summit 2018
This post will cover the accessible route requirements for play areas. Specifically, I want to take a look at the requirements for the provision of an accessible route to and around the play equipment as laid out under the 2006 revision of the Massachusetts Architectural …Continue Reading Accessible Routes in Play Areas
Participation in civic and social events is an important part of community life. Public and private entities with obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have an obligation to ensure that events and meetings open to the public are accessible to anyone who may want to attend. Here we outline a few basic steps entities can take to improve access.
A study to identify the profile of people with disabilities in New England reveals that New England has the largest percentage of Baby Boomers in the United States. This and other findings are highlighted in the slideshow, ‘Aging, Disability and the Americans with Disabilities Act’ and a research report, ‘An Examination of Disability in New England: A Demographic Study’ (2018)’ both by the New England ADA Center.
An important aspect of promoting independence for people with disabilities is physical access to public buildings. In Massachusetts, the Architectural Access Board (AAB) develops and enforces regulations designed to make public buildings accessible to, functional for, and safe for use by persons with disabilities. Section 521 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), enforced by the AAB, is the state building code that outlines the requirements for accessibility in buildings that are open to the public. 521 CMR also establishes a process for members of the public who wish to file a complaint about a noncompliant building.
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2018