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Safe and effective ramps are essential to ensuring the independence of individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. This post will discuss ramp running slope and ramp cross slope requirements that make ramps usable and accessible. We will also clarify the specific differences in the slope requirements and obligations between the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board’s (MAAB) rules and regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Design Standards (ADA Design Standards).
When last we wrote on this topic in spring of 2016, the Department of Justice (DOJ) was set to issue proposed regulations on web information and services for state and local governments. In a turn of events, the DOJ instead issued a rare Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) in “order to solicit public comment on various issues relating to the potential application of such technical requirements to the websites of Title II entities and to obtain information for preparing a regulatory impact analysis.”
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In an earlier post, we discussed accessibility requirements for off-street parking. Now, this post will address the provision of accessible on-street parking. While the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) and the 1991 and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (1991/2010 ADA Standards) have very specific regulations regarding off-street accessible parking, these regulations do not extend their jurisdiction to on-street accessible parking spaces.
In this important election season, it is timely to consider polling place accessibility for persons with disabilities. Throughout the years, our office has received calls from the public regarding polling place accessibility and has worked to remove barriers. Some of the more common issues have …Continue Reading Accessible Polling Places
The first Sunday in October is Independent Living Center Day under Massachusetts General Law. There are eleven Independent Living Centers located across the Commonwealth. ILCs generally provide four core services: information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills training, and peer counseling.
This post will address accessibility standards for Recreational Boating Facilities. Specifically, the requirements under the 2010 ADA Design Standards (2010 Standards) with regards to the access that is required to the various slips and boating amenities.
The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) 2016 Disability Summit on Employment was held on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
The morning opened with a networking breakfast buffet. Welcome and introductions were given by David D’Arcangelo, Director of MOD, who served as the event emcee. David also gave a presentation of MOD’s “Year in Review,” sharing new initiatives, programs, and activities since the previous year’s Summit. David also announced that in the last year, MOD staff have delivered 76 trainings reaching 2,053 people, conducted 196 public awareness activities reaching 5,117 people, and handled 3,446 intakes in MOD’s Client Services Unit.
Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) took its first road trip this past summer. Staff representing each unit within MOD traveled out to Western Mass for a series of trainings and outreach activities. Both staff and participants reported a positive experience.
I am thrilled to have recently joined MOD as the Emergency Preparedness Training Coordinator, where I am focusing on providing Emergency Preparedness (E.R.) for persons with disabilities trainings throughout the Commonwealth.
What makes me qualified for this position? From a young age, I had to learn to adapt to any type of situation. I grew up in New Haven, CT and was one of nine children. I moved to Massachusetts twelve years ago and joined the A Better Chance program.
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