Accessibility

Accessibility is not just an issue for the clients I see in my disability law practice.

Accessibility is for everyone. The "curb cut effect" means everyone benefits when we make accessibility a central pillar in our City.

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That’s why accessibility shouldn’t be left to chance. During the most recent Participatory Budgeting cycle, four separate proposals to improve accessibility made it onto the ballot. That kind of grassroots energy is great to see, and Participatory Budgeting is a great program. But none of those proposals were ultimately funded.

 

Some, like investing in all-terrain mats for use at public events, were very cheap and would expand access to Cambridge's amazing public events, such as Jazz Fest. Others, like live captioning public meetings, bring to mind larger questions about equity and access to civic life.

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Cambridge has a legal and moral commitment under the ADA to ensure its programs, services, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. It takes a significant and concerted effort to sustain this, and the City already does a lot. As a City Councillor I will be an advocate for policy that centers accessibility, and support City Staff in doing the work it takes to keep Cambridge accessible to all.

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Please see this site's Accessibility Statement at this link.

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 --Ned Melanson   

(617) 453-8590