Disability Flag Will Fly In Framingham For The 1st Time This Week

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham will honor the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in a way unique to the city.

During a ceremony on Wednesday, Framingham will raise the Disability Flag — designed by a Framingham local — for the first time.

The flag was designed by Framingham resident Rob Levine. It was commissioned by the Framingham Disability Commission in 2022 to honor the late co-founder of the Framingham Disability Commission Karen Foran Dempsey, who the city's ballroom in Village Hall is named for.

The flag is blue, green, and white and highlights multiple experiences of disability. It displays the words "Disability, Rights, & Human", city officials said.

“They are one in the same. Disability rights are human rights,” said Framingham Disability Commission Vice Chair Meghan Todd.

The ceremony starts at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.

Scheduled to speak are City of Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, Senate President Karen Spilka, State Representative Denise Garlick, who is the chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons With Disabilities, School Committee Chair Rep. Priscila Sousa, At Large City Councilor Janet Leombruno and Disability Commission member Tyler Terrasi.

After the ceremony, the Memorial Building will be lit in blue, green and white from Wednesday through Aug. 2.