Disability Services Commission

Mission Statement:
To address all disability issues and concerns within the City of Waltham and promote opportunities for citizens with disabilities. To receive and respond to various requests of disabled citizens by directing them to different organizations that may provide beneficial resources. To maintain a working relationship with City Officials in conjunction with meeting all regulatory requirements.

Output Statement
The Waltham Disability Services Commission is the first commission in the United States, to be awarded police grant that focused on parking fines as a source of funding for future improvements for the disabled community in Waltham. The current Waltham program serves as a model and has been replicated and implemented across the United States. The Commission strives to make to make Waltham more accessible for all disabled residents. We would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the accomplishments the DSC has been able to bring to the City of Waltham and its disabled individuals. One aim is to continue to monitor the mandates issued by the Federal ADA Transition Plan. This plan is also required by the State and Waltham is moving forward in this area. Another area is offering knowledge and information in order to assist the disabled and City employees to be aware of accessibility issues and enhancements within our City. During the coming year the Disability Services Commission will continue to explore ways to advance Waltham in accessibility of its buildings and public areas throughout the City.

Some of our completed achievements
The Disability Services Commission (DSC) has been able to benefit the Waltham Public School Special Education Department by: supplying Apple iPads; established scholarships in memory of Jerry LeBlanc for WHS seniors with a disability to help them finance further education or training; funded hearing devices/new technology for the hearing or visually impaired at the Robinson Auditorium at Waltham High. The DSC also helped with funds for playgrounds throughout the City in order to provide accessibility for all. Funded automatic door openers for City buildings; with furnishing funds to provide portable toilets that allow accessibility for all at City Events and at WHS graduation.

We were also able to approve the purchase of an exercise table for Opportunities for Inclusion (formally known as GWArc); our work with the Waltham Fire Department included providing funds to purchase infrared devices to aid in searches during fires for the Waltham Fire Department; allocated money to purchase several defibrillators that are in place at some City Buildings. We also continue to help provide funds to aid with work that takes place for curb cuts that may not meet ADA guidelines or be in need of repairs within the City. The Commission was able to offer financial assistance in part for implantation of the ADA transition plan along with providing funding for assistive devices to the Waltham Public Library.

Through our funding a new elevator was installed at the historic Stonehurst at the Paine Estate along with new signage for the Estate, at City Hall and the Government Center. Currently we are in the process of working with the Waltham High School American Sign Language teacher and students to have interpreters for hearing impaired when needed at events and will continue researching new technology in that area. This will include exploring the C.A.R.T. system and the Loop System for the hearing disabled. Our funds assisted with reconfiguration of the public access window for the Treasurer's Office; handicap renovations to the third-floor
restroom in the Government Center along with installation of automatic door openers at various locations. We had the resources to pay for a handicap accessible spectator stand at Lake Street Playground and addressed the need for "countdown" and audible signals at several crosswalks in Waltham.

The DSC funded repairs at the handicap parking area at the rear of Waltham High; monitors the need for improved snow removal from sidewalks, curb cuts and handicap parking spaces throughout Waltham. We were also able to support Bentley University’s new HP parking sign and logo. As a convenience to residents we help to issue 90-day temporary HP parking placards for use in Waltham only for people with temporary disabilities. Medical documentation is required along with approval and guidance of the Waltham Police Dept. We continue to work with the City Traffic Department concerning the intersection of Warren, Gore and Main Streets. We also informed by Mayor McCarthy the City will be accepting bids for the job to begin correction and improvements at this intersection.

These improvements for the disabled individuals and organizations of Waltham would not be possible without the work of the Waltham Police Department and their Handicapped Parking Violators Detail Program along with other City Officials.

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Board Members

Name Title
Mark Johnson Chairperson
JT Graceffa Vice Chair
Joann D'Amico Stone Member
Robert Marcou Member
Pamela Jones Member
Adam Maher Member
Jane Demers Member