Somerville Asks for Public Feedback on Accessibility Plan

Somerville is once again asking for public feedback on the city’s level of accessibility.

The city announced on Tuesday that it will be conducting a feedback session on its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan, according to a Somerville press release. This follows the city’s 2014 survey on accessibility needs which was the first such survey ever conducted for an entire municipality. Somerville ADA coordinator Betsy Allen says that public feedback is crucial for the construction of the final plan.

“Every voice is important,” Allen told Patch.com. ”We would of course put it in the context of the long-term planning. But we would of course take every person’s feedback into consideration.”

This process began with a self-review in 2012. Somerville hired the engineering firm Fay, Spofford and Thorndike (FST) to conduct an inventory and assessment of the city’s sidewalks, according to the draft plan. FST found that 60 percent of Somerville’s sidewalks are in need of replacement. Allen said that the city’s sidewalks were also of the greatest concern to residents.

“Sidewalks are a good thing to prioritize because it is someone that impacts everyone,” Allen added.

The current feedback period will culminate with a public meeting on Jan. 12 in City Hall’s Aldermanic chamber. Residents wishing to provide feedback can do so by contacting Allen via telephone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2323 or via email at BAllen@somervillema.gov.

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