Politics & Government
Melrose Starts Process To Overhaul Accessibility, ADA Policies
It's the first time since 1996 the city has undergone this process, which started Monday when the City Council accepted a $54,918 grant.
MELROSE, MA — The city will undergo a self-evaluation over the next several months that will result in an updated Americans with Disabilities transition plan for the first time in two and a half decades.
The work will be done by a consultant paid for by a $54,918 state grant the City Council voted to accept Monday night. The Commission on Disability will work with and oversee the consultant, who it expects to pay just under $50,000 of the grant.
The self-evaluation will encompass all city buildings, including school buildings, as well as programs and policies related to accessibility. The city's website accessibility will also be examined.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That will be followed by a transition plan, which works as a master plan to tackle accessibility issues uncovered by the self-evaluation.
It's the first time since 1996 the city has undergone this process.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The city doesn't need to match any funds, but the work must be completed by June 30, putting a tight timeline on the process.
"Myself and other members of the Commission on Disability will support this effort and help guide it and make ourselves available in any way possible," Chair David Hoff said.
The Commission on Disability has three experienced vendors in mind, according to Hoff.
The self-evaluation will include:
- City Hall
- Memorial Hall
- Public Library
- Milano Center
- Beebe Estate
- Fire stations
- Police station
- City Yard
- Wyoming Cemetery
- McCarthy House
- Steele House
- Mt Hood Park Building
- School buildings
Mayor Paul Brodeur helped bring the Commission on Disability online after promising to do so during his campaign for mayor. At the time he cited state data that said more than 9 percent of Melrosians live with a disability, a number he said was likely higher in reality.
The city recently closed some polling places after accessibility issues were identified. Major accessibility issues at the Melrose Public Library are part of why the city is investing in a significant renovation of the building.
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