Implementing the ADA Across New England
Transforming Bennington
In the 1980’s, Judy Krum, a seamstress, teacher, and resident of Bennington, VT, looked forward to attending an antique sewing machine exhibit that was on display at the nearby Bennington Museum. When she learned that the exhibit was located on the second floor of the museum, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Judy, a wheelchair user, had been diagnosed with MS at the age of 40 and knew that there was no elevator in the museum that was built in 1924. Judy called the New England ADA Center and learned about her right to access the museum. She and several other folks with disabilities returned to the museum to discuss accessibility. The museum director welcomed the suggestions and, after a capital campaign, access to the sewing machines, as well as the entire museum, was made possible. An elevator was added to allow access to the second floor, and ramps were built connecting other levels of the museum. Judy, along with Charlie Murphy and others, then made it their mission to spread the word of accessibility through the town of Bennington. The Coalition of Disabled Individuals, a grassroots group, was formed. The Coalition received training and hotline assistance from the ADA Center and went on to promote accessibility at other sites, including, the post office, library, courthouse, churches, and restaurants. Judy requested sign language interpreters for Town Meeting to promote governmental access for deaf citizens. Judy went on to work or the Vermont Center for Independent Living, which formed a satellite office in Bennington.
Above: accessible front entrance of Vermont’s Bennington Museum.
Webster Park Playground - Epsom, NH
As part of the continuing celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the ADA, the NH Governor's Commission on Disability showcased Webster Park Playground, located on Route 28, approximately two miles south of the Epsom traffic circle. A press conference and tour were provided by Cheryl Killam, Accessibility Specialist for the Commission, and Kim Keeler, Epsom Park Commission.
Kim, a physical therapist, attended an event in Webster Park in July 2001, and noticed the three pieces of dilapidated playground equipment. She decided the town needed a new playground but wanted that playground to be accessible for children with disabilities.
With help from many volunteers, Kim created the nonprofit Friends of Webster Park. In three years, the group raised $50,000 by holding a fall festival, dances, and an auction at the Lions Club, as well as applying for grants and persuading businesses to sponsor pieces of equipment.
Wheelchair-accessible playground equipment costs several times more than regular playground equipment. There are transfer steps for access to the slides and several ground toys mounted at wheelchair height. Using her physical therapy background, she worked at creating a diverse playground that caters to children of different ages and physical abilities. "It's important to have them integrated, instead of having these poor kids in wheelchairs standing off on the sidelines," she told Concord Monitor's Reporter Sarah Liebowitz.
With all children playing together, Commission member Ellen Keith told Liebowitz, "there will be less stigma" attached to disabilities. "Here, what matters is that everybody is just a kid," she said. "It's an equalizer. This makes it possible for people to live beyond their wheelchairs."
Above: wheelchair accessible swing in Webster Park Playground, Epsom, NH.
Above: accessible swing in Webster Park Playground, Epsom, NH.
Cambridge, MA Wins Accessible America 2005 Grand Prize
The National Organization on Disability has selected Cambridge, Massachusetts as the Accessible America 2005 grand prize award winner. The award recognizes Cambridge as a national model for its focus on disability issues and for its successful design of programs, services and facilities.
Many City programs and services were highlighted in the award. With respect to promoting accessible transportation, Cambridge has had an accessible taxicab program for over 10 years and recently funded a centralized dispatching service, Accessible Cambridge Taxi to improve services to the community. In addition, to contribute to the affordability of taxi services, the City funds a taxi-coupon program for disabled residents (and seniors) and has increased the face value of the coupons as taxi rates have increased.
Cambridge was also recognized for its promotion of accessibility through its annual capital funding process with funding for the removal of barriers in public buildings, for funding of the Façade Improvement Program, which requires businesses that receive matching funds to make their entrances accessible, and for its commitment to accessibility in the review and funding of open space projects, with over two dozen parks and playgrounds having been made accessible.
With respect to promoting participation in city services and programs, the award recognizes the City's adoption of an Inclusion Policy for Out of School Time Programs and the City's Department of Human Service Programs Inclusion Initiative to enhance the capacity of all of its out of school time programs to better serve children with disabilities. The award notes the Department's efforts to ensure that programs are welcoming to children with disabilities through the extensive training of staff and the hiring of an Inclusion Specialist who is available to provide on-site coaching at city programs.
Finally, the award recognizes the very important role played by the City's Commission for Person with Disabilities in promoting accessibility. The Commission and its volunteer board, most of whom have some physical, mental or sensory disability or live with a relative who does, work tirelessly to help the City communicate a welcoming attitude. Commission staff and members sit on a variety of City entities ensuring that the issues of our disabled residents and visitors are addressed. They sit on the City's Open Space Committee, the Special Events Planning Committee, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee. They work with the faith-based community to help make programs and services accessible. The Commission also ensures that there is appropriate communication to the disability community through a bi-monthly newsletter and a website. The Commission has also worked to ensure that publications about living in Cambridge include information for people with disabilities about access and services.
The City was recognized formally this Spring when the National Organization on Disability and the United Parcel Service, which is funding the $25,000 prize, came to Cambridge to celebrate the award. The second and third prizes went to West Hollywood, CA and Austin, TX respectfully. The Accessible America Contest, administered by N.O.D.'s Community Partnership Program, is sponsored by generous grants from United Parcel Service (UPS) and Wal-Mart. West Hollywood and Austin received Wal-Mart sponsored cash awards of $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Source: City of Cambridge Press Release, 3/17/06
Fenway Fever
Fenway Park in Boston, MA is the oldest Major League Ballpark in the United States, holding a special place in the hearts of “Red Sox Nation.” In recent years and for various reasons, however, plans were made to close the landmark ball park. Included among those reasons was the apparent technological infeasibility of making the park accessible. Proponents for a new stadium maintained that a new ballpark could be built to meet ADA requirements. However, in the midst of discussions, a group formed called Save Fenway to help figure out how to make the park accessible. Save Fenway was a grassroots effort consisting of many organizations. Recommendations were made to make the ballpark accessible and Andy Washburn of the New England ADA & Accessible IT Center reviewed the plans to meet ADA obligations. Fenway Park is now one of the most accessible ballpark's in the country from seating to programming. The architect for Fenway Park, Janet Marie Smith, is Vice President of Operations for the Red Sox and works at making ballparks accessible across the United States.
Above: New England ADA Center Staff enjoying a game behind first base at Fenway Park.
(Photo: Julie Cordeiro, staff photographer for the Boston Red Sox)
