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The new Somerville High School includes a wheelchair-accessible entrance
built during the building’s construction from 2018 to 2021.
The City of Somerville’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Task Force, which will review and update the city’s ADA Transition Plan, is accepting applications from community members to join the Task Force.
The ADA Transition Plan Task Force will be part of a community driven process to review the ADA Transition Plan and ensure that the city complies with all disability laws and promotes an environment free of discrimination and harassment for individuals with disabilities in Somerville. Task Force members will review the current ADA transition plan, propose updates to the plan, and draft and propose accountability measures to monitor and sustain continual progress.
The Task Force will consist of 6 constituent members supported by City staff and representatives from the city’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities. All applicants must live or work in Somerville. Ideal candidates will be committed to disability and accessibility advocacy and invested in expanding accessibility services city-wide. Applicants must be at least 17 years old.
Accessibility of the city’s buildings and programs are some of the concerns
raised in the ADA Transition Plan.
Duration and Time Commitment
ADA Transition Plan Task Force members will be compensated for their time. Members will be expected to attend meetings, which will be hosted both virtually and in-person with a hybrid option, up to two hours per week over a period of no longer than 8 months. Members should also be prepared to attend potential additional meetings for subcommittees and readings. If virtual meetings create a barrier for you, please still apply, and our team will work to aid you with access and/or training.
How to Apply: Deadline January 19, 2024
The ADA Transition Plan Task Force application will be available online starting Monday, December 18 on the city website at somervillema.gov, the RSJ website at somervillema.gov/RSJ, and will be shared via City and RSJ social media feeds. Community members can also pick up printed applications at the Somerville City Hall front desk or by calling the ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 x2059.
Applications are due by 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024. Applicants can fill out the online form, email their responses to apomeroy@somervillema.gov, or hand-deliver or mail them to Somerville City Hall, Attn: RSJ Department, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143.
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This is very interesting, considering I had a plied for a residential seat on the committee back in the summer time when I sent that letter. I had an interview in November and two days before Thanksgiving, I was told they would not forward my application. They said they only had two seats on the commission at that time, and would not explain to me why I was declined or whether or not people with my disclosed mental health challenges Were appropriately represented. So how can there be openings when I was told there were only two and that I don’t know whether or not people with certain mental health conditions which are covered under the ADA are represented fully on this commission? It reeks of discrimination, if you ask me. I’m currently trying to follow it up with the Massachusetts disability office is to see what I can do next about this.
Oh, and just a follow up, I was never even invited to be a part of this ADA transition commission, because this would be very helpful and ensuring that people with mental health conditions including borderline personality, which are covered under the ADA could fit into this to make a safer more dynamic Somerville, but apparently that is not the mission of this commission