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Saunas and steam rooms found at spas, health clubs, and other areas are used for a variety of reasons including health, stress relief, and relaxation. To understand the accessibility requirements for saunas and steam rooms, we need to look at the 1991 and 2010 ADA Design Standards (ADADS) and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board’s rules and regulations (MAAB) to determine the applicability and the most stringent requirement.
National Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) was established by the White House in 1999 with fewer than three-dozen participants as part of an effort to increase awareness of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). In celebration of NDEAM this past October, the Massachusetts Office on Disability …Continue Reading Commonwealth Disability Mentoring Week 2017
The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) hosted the “Breaking Barriers” Art Exhibit at the State House from 11/14–24. The exhibit featured 23 pieces of original artwork by Massachusetts residents all over the state. The purpose of the exhibit was not only to showcase Massachusetts talent, but also to raise awareness of how persons with disabilities break barriers and overcome stigma.
On Monday November 27th 2017 Governor Charlie Baker ceremonially signed into law new legislation that increases the current penalties for fraudulent use of disability parking credentials. Joined by members of the Senate, House, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Inspector General, as well as representatives from the Massachusetts Office on Disability, the new legislation aims to protect those who truly need accessible parking.
On Friday, September 15, 2017 the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) was joined by nearly 300 guests representing various sectors of the community for the agency’s third annual Summit. Held in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House, Boston, the theme of this year’s …Continue Reading Massachusetts Office on Disability Holds 2017 Summit
Massachusetts recently launched the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program which allows millions of individuals with disabilities to save money in a tax-exempt ABLE account without risking losing their federal disability benefits. In order to spread awareness of this groundbreaking program, Governor Charlie Baker has proclaimed August 2017 “#AbleToSave Month. Read the proclamation here…
The Massachusetts Office on Disability serves as a resource for technical assistance. We often get calls about housing and wanted to take this opportunity to discuss frequently asked questions.
Are you a state agency, municipal government, employer or business? If so, you have important obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar Massachusetts laws to your employees, customers, visitors, and the general public who are persons with disabilities. MOD can help to provide training for you and your staff these requirements.
Education goes a long way in avoiding violations that can result in lengthy and costly consequences for your organization. Further, compliance with the ADA and similar laws ensures that persons with disabilities who are qualified employees, valued customers, and members of our communities have equal access to the programs, services, and opportunities available to everyone else.
This post is a follow–up to our recent post on ramp slope requirements. This post will guide you through additional obligations for width, handrails, length and landings under the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board’s (MAAB) rules and regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Act Design Standards (ADA Design Standards).
Attention Businesses and employers: Did you know there are tax credits and deductions available to employ persons with disabilities and to make accessibility improvements?
The vast majority of businesses and employers have distinct obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure equal employment opportunities and to remove accessibility barriers for persons with disabilities. Not only are Americans with disabilities contributing members of the workforce and valuable customers, but there are also incentives in the form of tax credits and deductions for meeting ADA obligations.
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