Access Brookline: April 2022 Accessibility-Related News, Events & Info

BROOKLINE, MA — The following article was submitted by the Brookline Commission on Disability (BCOD).

Did you know?

• This month, Access Brookline celebrates a year of publishing! We started out in The TAB and have now transitioned to Brookline Patch. But our purpose hasn’t changed: to inform Brookline residents and businesses about the mission of our Commission on Disability, and to put readers in touch with helpful resources and mind-expanding insights. We work to enhance quality of life for all persons, young or old, with any form of disability—whether lifelong, acquired, permanent, temporary, sensory, motoric, cognitive, or emotional…you name it! We tackle obstacles in our built environment, services, and programs, and to foster a Town culture that is welcoming and inclusive of all persons!
• Each month we try to put the focus on a type of disability you may have encountered, experienced, or wondered about (but were afraid to ask)… or a set of challenges faced by our residents or visitors with disabilities… or little-known opportunities available to people with disabilities. This month: SPRING is here-- for ALL to enjoy!

• Good news! The accessible play space at the Lynch Recreation Center is now even more accessible. A communication board was recently installed to support children on the autism spectrum and other children who have difficulty using spoken words. These children may need another way to communicate during play, and the board helps with 7 categories of words/phrases and excellent instructions. Check it out at the Brookline Avenue Playground (Brookline Ave and Aspinwall Ave). The board is a joint venture of the Brookline Early Education Program, Brookline Parks & Recreation, and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

• Enjoying the outdoors can be challenging for wheelchair users, seniors using walkers or scooters, children in strollers, and those with other mobility impairments. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has developed a database of bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the 101 municipalities it serves. One product is the Metro Boston Regional Walking and Cycling Map, with several useful filters like “Paved Paths” or “Paved Footway” that can help you find wheel-friendly trails.

Spotlight Organization

The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, based in Framingham, envisions a world where people with autism lead productive lives where they are included, respected, and actively engaged in their communities. Their programs and activities are aimed at people with autism and their families, to provide a path for education and/or employment during the day; opportunities for physical and social activity outside of work/school; and the tools to be safe, supported, and informed.

News and Events

• May 3: Town Election Day. Don’t forget that your polling location may have changed due to precinct redistricting, and where that has happened, all Town Meeting member seats are open.Visit the Town Clerk’s Election Information page for voting options, locations, and candidates. If you encounter any accessibility barriers at polling locations, notify Town Clerk Ben Kaufman and/or ADA Coordinator Sarah Kaplan.
• May 5, 2:30-4:00 pm--U.S. Access Board Webinar: An Introduction to Website Accessibility. Learn simple ways to make your website more usable for viewers with disabilities. (May 19 is designated Global Accessibility Awareness Day to promote building accessibility into the product development lifecycle for technology and digital products.)
• May 12, 2:00-3:00 pm and monthly throughout 2022—Job Accommodation Network webinars on compliance and general interest topics for employers and employees alike, such aspregnancy and reproductive disorders, deciphering personal use items vs. reasonable accommodations, and more!

Join Us!

BCOD meets monthly, typically on the 2nd Wednesday at 5:30 pm, and the public is always welcome! Check the town calendar 48 hours in advance to see the agenda and info on how to participate: www.brooklinema.gov/calendar.aspx.