HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-18-COD-min Commission on Disability
Meeting Minutes from June 18, 2024
Members: Victoria Buckley, Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady, Lenard Morse-Fortier, Janet Perry,
Francine Steiglitz, Nancy Wong
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Deputy Town Manager, Joe Pato, Select Board, Jim Kelly, Building
Commissioner
Committee Liaisons: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Stephanie Hsu, Human Rights Committee
Guests: Valerie Overton, Consultant
Announcements
• Hemali Shah had her baby and all is well (yay!)
• Joe Pato has returned as our new Select Board representative
• Laurie Fiola has stepped down as our representative from the Council on Aging as she has
moved out of Lexington,
• Kelly Axtell offered an update about the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Police
Station
• Review of minutes from April and May—approved with minor edits to the April Minutes.
Consultation with Valerie Overton as she seeks information, advice, recommendations, and
resources about best practices for school renovations that focus on equity for a report that she is
preparing. It will include practices related to acoustics, lighting, indoor flooring, accessibility,
designing spaces that allow good flow, etc.
• Janet discussed signage, and contrast on stairs to make their edges clearer
• Len discussed looking at access as universal and promoting inclusivity versus simply
meeting the technical requirement
• Jim Kelly talked about Lexington Children's Place was a strong design that reflected
sensitivity to accessibility
• Shaun offered that the ADA only offers the minimum, so looking to the influence of
inclusivity and community is important and influential, quiet room or spaces for people
who need it, discreet pavers should be as large as possible with minimal joint—concrete
or pavement is helpful,
• Sue recommended sensory room —a space to address over and under stimulation;
technology is now designed with accessibility in mind, and integrates tools like text-to-
speech, voice-to-text, screen enlargement, customization of font sizes into the operating
system
• Victoria followed up on the idea and offered that students who are dysregulated need
these spaces help them regain their equilibrium and building their capacity to solve some
of their own needs
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• Francine offered suggestions for auditory needs to make it possible for students to have
earphones, earbuds, see what is being spoken, the Loop situation at the library has fallen
off but is good if done well
• Nancy offered to color code spaces like the end of the stairways
• Shaun added the caution about color blindness
• Jim shared the need to see current elevator inspections, and he offered that there is a big
difference between a renovation and new construction
• Len offered that initial plans needed input, noting that architects are not designing
accessibility properly
• Victoria offered the proactive suggestion that the all plans go before the local
commission
Collaborative Reform— ideas for summit and going ahead, should the committee stay a working
group or a formal subcommittee of the Commission
• Stephanie Hsu offered that Jacqueline Apsler from the Domestic Violence Services
Network offered a presentation about the services, she supports 12 Police Departments
• Joe Pato would like to see the group be more visible and part of the town structure. He
would like to see the meetings and agendas be posted but the structure is not finalized
and formalization would be important
• Dana Bickelman, Director, Lexington Human Services, has been eager to be involved
• Shaun likes the idea of building a resource guide that would go on the How do I. . . ? part
of the Lexington website. Kelly offered to connect with Julia is the webmaster and worth
connecting with.
Countdown Picture
• December 3rd is the International Day for Person's with Disabilities, designed to build
awareness and understanding. Victoria will be in touch with us to coordinate the picture.
Plan to address school data disparities
• We will be focusing on this issue and not curriculum
• Sean Osborn from ABCL—Association of Black Citizens of Lexington
New Business
• Jim Kelly discussed the email he sent to the Commission a great presentation about
design:
The recording is now available for this AICP-CM-approved presentation on
accessibility requirements in multi-family developments. (Of interest to MBTA
communities.) https://youtu.be/mC gLK81Etc
AAB & FHA requirements for Multi-family Buildings in MBTA Communities:
A Primer for Building Inspectors, Planners and Planning Boards
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More than 70 MBTA communities have adopted the required 3A multi-family
zoning. The Architectural Access Board has specific code requirements for multi-
family buildings that professional Building Commissioners, Inspectors and
Planners must check for development plan compliance during site plan review
and throughout construction. The Fair Housing Act also has design and
construction requirements for new construction multi-family buildings that will
apply and should be reviewed. Learn the basics from this presentation by Kathryn
Denis, Senior Associate, KMA Architecture & Accessibility, recorded May 28, 2024.
AICP CM credit approved
• We asked about being able to see the plans before they get into permitting; Jim said he
can make this happen.
• Jim mentioned that the Architectural Access Board officials will have a hearing about the
Thai Restaurant at 182 Bedford Street. They are applying for a variance necessitated by
their pivot from takeout only to a takeout and sit-in restaurant. This change of service
requires a bathroom that is currently not available to customers.
• Jim also mentioned that Mass Eye & Ear at 110 Hartwell Avenue has a parking problem.
He will share more information about this in the future.
• Antique Store has new tenants who are selling candy.
• Dawn McKenna's street level has been raised and the sidewalk has been adjusted.
• Pamela Lyons shared ARPA Model in Depot Square may be a good fit for other projects
that fall in the MBTA or multifamily zoned area
• Next Collaborative Reform is on July 91h at 3:00
Adjourned 7:13pm
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