July 2021 Advocacy Update

Access Complaint Form

Have you encountered barriers when trying to visit local stores or restaurants?

It's super easy to file a complaint with the state Architectural Access Board (AAB), and you don't need a lawyer!

Visit the AAB website at here for more info. For technical assistance on filing a complaint, send an email to Michael Muehe, Access Analyst for the Boston Center for Independent Living at mmuehe@bostoncil.org.

Transportation

The MBTA is currently working on a Bus Network Redesign project to re-imagine the network and make it work for those who depend on it most, which explicitly includes those with disabilities. They are asking for our input via a survey, which is focused on two key questions:

Does the MBTA take you where you need or want to go?
When you need to get somewhere, is riding the MBTA a good option for you?

For example, can you make a desired bus trip from home to work, school or medical appointments without strain or risk? Please take the online survey by July 30: https://www.mbta.com/projects/bus-network-redesign

Extra Info! We attended the June 8 public meeting (https://www.mbta.com/events/2021-06-08/bus-network-redesign-public-meeting) on this initiative and emphasized that “walking distance” to bus stops needs to be defined from the point of view of those who use wheelchairs: manageable distances, good sidewalks, corner curb ramps, and intersection safety. This perspective seemed to resonate with the MBTA planners! You can emphasize that point and others via the survey, or by reaching out to BetterBusProject@mbta.com.

Action Alert from United Spinal Nation Advocacy

It's time we closed the digital divide for the disability community.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about many societal changes. Most of all, it made it necessary that major parts of our daily lives — work, school, and health care among them — become virtual experiences that take place via the Internet. However, for those individuals who lack access to reliable broadband Internet service, this made the already-existing digital divide that much wider.

According to a 2016 Pew Research Center survey, Americans with disabilities are nearly three times as likely as non-disabled Americans to say that they never go online (23 percent to 8 percent). That same survey showed that only 57 percent of Americans with disabilities have access to broadband Internet at home, compared to 76 percent of non-disabled Americans. For the disability community, it is imperative that we close this gap by supporting universal broadband across the country. That is why United Spinal is supporting the Accessible Affordable Internet for All Act (H.R. 1783/S. 745), introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and in the Senate by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

The Accessible Affordable Internet for All Act would do the following:
Authorize $80 billion in federal funding to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure nationwide.
Require that Internet service providers have an affordable option for consumers who use the broadband infrastructure funded by this bill.
Authorize an additional $6 billion for the recently established Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, which provides a $50 monthly discount on the Internet plans for low-income Americans anywhere in the country, or a $75 monthly discount for consumers on tribal lands.
Direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect and publicize data on prices charged for broadband service throughout the country.
Provide over $1 billion to establish grant programs for states to close gaps in broadband adoption, as well as digital inclusion projects for organizations and local communities to implement.
Provide $2 billion to enable students without Internet at home to participate in remote learning.
Authorize funding for Wi-Fi on school buses so students can stay connected, especially in rural areas.

Take Action

Help Pass Accessible Housing and Workplaces Legislation

Please join the GBC’s ongoing advocacy to pass legislation to address the need for safe, accessible housing in our communities for older adults and people with disabilities as well as legislation to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

One of the best ways to help is to email and call your state senator and representative. You can get the contact information by putting your address into Find My Legislator.

Ask your Senator to cosponsor and support S.1629 ACCESSIBLE MA ACT that deals with housing and workplace accessibility.

Ask your Representative to cosponsor and support H.2420 ADAPTABLE HOUSING MA that focuses on housing. And H.2419 ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACES MA that focuses on making workplaces accessible.

More details about each piece of legislation can be found on these fact sheets:

ACCESSIBLE MA ACT (Senate) fact sheet

ADAPTABLE HOUSING MA (House) fact sheet

ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACES MA (House) fact sheet

Please contact Chris Hoeh if you have questions, or want to be more involved in this effort.

Accessible MA legislator email template

Hello [Representative/Chairperson/President] [NAME], I hope you’re doing well. I {OPTIONAL am a member of [ORGANIZATION] and we } would like you to cosponsor H.2420 ADAPTABLE HOUSING MA which will expand the availability of housing that can efficiently be adapted to allow older adults and people with disabilities to live safely in the communities of their choice; and H.2419 ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACES MA which would remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities, finally bringing the state into compliance with the ADA. Both of these pieces of legislation were filed by Rep. Moran and Rep. Barber. I’ve attached fact sheets that provide more information about each bill. {OPTIONAL: This issue is important to me because….}

Please contact me with any questions and I look forward to hearing that you will be adding your name as a cosponsor.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Hello [Senator/Chairperson/President] [NAME], I hope you’re doing well. I {OPTIONAL am a member of [ORGANIZATION] and we } would like you to cosponsor S.1629 ACCESSIBLE MA, filed by Sen. Moore, which would remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities, finally bringing the state into compliance with the ADA, and expand the availability of housing that can efficiently be adapted to allow older adults and people with disabilities to live safely in the communities of their choice. I’ve attached fact sheets for both pieces of legislation. {OPTIONAL: This issue is important to me because….}