As a passionate member of the Methuen Disabilities Commission, I cannot stress enough my disappointment regarding the blatant disregard for accessibility in our community. It is truly disheartening to see that even after the recent renovations at Timony Grammar School, the newly constructed sidewalks at the back of the school are lacking essential curb cuts, which is unacceptable and an infringement of the law. It is even more disconcerting that even though there is a commission on disability in the city, the administration seems to ignore their existence and their recommendations.
After several attempts to bring attention to this issue to the City Council, unfortunately, no action was taken. In my capacity as a concerned citizen, I decided to file detailed complaints with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board against the contractors. Even though the contractors cited reasons for not making the sidewalks accessible, it was exhilarating to witness the board siding with our cause and mandating curb cuts on the sidewalks.
It goes to show how critical it is to have a functional and accountable disability commission in place. Such an entity could provide the necessary procedures to advise and make recommendations on accessibility matters, which would ultimately lead to fewer complications and grievances.
Sid Harris