Opinion: Support Articles 17 And 30 In Northborough Town Meeting

The following was submitted to Northborough Patch as a letter to the editor by Nicole Lomerson. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, email samantha.mercado@patch.com.

I have been a resident of Northborough for four years. Like you, I am a taxpayer in this town. Unlike many of you, I do not have equal access in this town due to my disability (I am a person who uses a wheelchair). This includes access to many local small businesses, access to safe sidewalks, and access to recreation activities such as our trail system and our municipal playgrounds.

I am speaking in support of Articles 17 and 30 at the Northborough Town Meeting on July 18th. As a high-risk person during the COVID-19 pandemic as there is no mechanism for me to participate without risking my health and possibly my life. I am a public health professional. I understand the risk I am taking by being there, even with social distancing and mask-wearing. For my daughter and I to have equal access to recreation I must be here. Having someone read remarks on my behalf is not equal access. Some residents are just now understanding the access barriers of disabled people because you’re feeling them too, due to COVID. I welcome your allyship to push for a more representative and accessible form of government that allows for participation of everyone who wants to participate. Not just those who have the luxury of being able to leave their houses or jobs.

As a disabled parent to a four year old daughter, nothing is more important to me than having equal access to effectively and lovingly parent my child in this town, giving her all the opportunities that other children have regardless of my disability status.

This includes access to our smunicipal playgrounds, which have been a barrier for me, and as a result for her, too.

Article 17 and 30 ask that the town appropriate a certain sum of money to make Assabet Park accessible for people with disabilities. This renovation must occur in some form as this park was found to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

I am here in support of Articles 17 and 30 when they are proposed, because I believe children and families of all abilities should have equal access to recreation and play.

Often we think of disability access as “different,” or “special.” I assure you, it is not. Disability access is a civil right codified by law; there is nothing “special” about it. I am tired of driving my daughter to Southborough, Sudbury, and even Charlestown to have an accessible play space where we can both enjoy ourselves. And when we are in those places, we are buying lunch and refreshments in those towns, not in Northborough.

When this park is built, and if it is built thoughtfully and well, families will travel to use it and spend money in our town. Furthermore, improved access benefits everyone. It benefits the child with the sprained ankle, the parent pushing a double stroller, the elders who would like to watch their grandchildren play without having to walk over an uneven surface. This would be an investment for all of us.

This coming Wednesday, July 22nd, is the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Despite disabled people being the largest protected minority group in this country we continually fight for access such as this.

If these articles pass, I will still be fighting for access. I have been told that there is no meaningful mechanism for disabled people and their families to be involved in this park’s planning process other than providing public comment. Those comments may or may not be addressed.

Additionally, as planned, this park is going to have equipment that is only appropriate for children under seven. Disabilities do not magically disappear after the age of seven. I encourage looking at alternate equipment that allows children of all ages and abilities to play together.

In the disability community, we have a mantra: “Nothing About Us Without Us.” Surely this sentiment must resonate with anyone who makes the effort to attend a town meeting in the summer heat during a pandemic. If disabled people and their families are not meaningfully included in planning, pitfalls will occur possibly costing this town more money and time wasted. I have seen this time and time again in projects as a person who works in disability policy. I have worked with Tower Hill Botanical Garden in West Boylston on an accessible garden space that didn’t just address the letter of the law but also listened to me and other disabled people about what it is really like to navigate these spaces. It was a better project as a result. It does not take a lot of extra time to involve us. Just a willingness to truly listen to those of us who have the most to lose if this project overlooks the actual lived expertise of disabled kids and adults. I encourage Northborough to take a similar approach to make this the best recreation space possible for children and adults of all abilities.

Again, I am in support of Article 17 and Article 30. I hope you are too.

Thank you,
Nicole Lomerson