COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT TO IDENTIFY ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan. The project is grant-funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The existing plan was prepared in 2006 and is now outdated.

Under Title II of the ADA, the Town is required to complete a self-evaluation of its public facilities, programs, services, activities, and events to determine compliance with the ADA and identify any barriers to accessibility. Once the self-evaluation is complete, the Town will develop a transition plan to prioritize the identified barriers and how they will be corrected. The Town has hired Disability Access Consultants, LLC (DAC) to assist with the self-evaluation and transition plan process.

As part of this project, the Town is seeking input from the community, organizations assisting persons with disabilities, and town staff. Public feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs.

Town Planner Maureen Pollock is serving as the project manager for this effort. “It is important to receive input from various stakeholders to help identify structural or operational barriers that limit the participation of people with disabilities, so they may be corrected,” Pollock said.  

Amherst residents can access the online survey here. Paper copies will be mailed, upon request. Surveys are due by Friday, July 11, 2020.

A town-wide field assessment will be conducted by the DAC consultants to identify barriers to safe and equal access at town-owned facilities such as buildings, parks, and conservation trails. Based on the field assessment findings and public input, DAC consultants will develop the transition plan. 

The Town and consultants plan to hold a public forum (date and time to be announced) to receive comments on the survey results and draft Plan. The assessment work is expected to be completed this summer.

Questions or comments about the plan should be directed to Maureen Pollock, at pollockm@amherstma.gov or at (413) 259-3120.