In keeping with its ongoing efforts to serve all members of the public, The Town of Amherst is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan. The project is grant-funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The existing Self Evaluation Plan & Transition Plan was last prepared in 2006 and is now outdated.
Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Town of Amherst is required to complete a self-evaluation of the Town’s public facilities, programs, services, activities, and events to determine compliance with the ADA and any barriers to accessibility. Once the Self-Evaluation is complete, the Town will develop a Transition Plan to prioritize the identified barriers and how they will be corrected. The Town has hired Disability Access Consultants, LLC (DAC) to assist with the self-evaluation and transition plan process.
As part of this project, the Town of Amherst is seeking input from the community, organizations assisting persons with disabilities, and Town Staff. Public feedback will assist in addressing and prioritizing current and future accessibility needs.
Town Planner Maureen Pollock is serving as the project manager for this project. Ms. Pollock stated, “it is important to receive input from various stakeholders to help identify structural or operational barriers that limit the participation of people with disabilities, so they may be corrected.” You may access the online survey at www.amherstma.gov/ADAtransitionplan Paper copies may be mailed, upon request. Surveys are due by Friday, July 11, 2020.
A town-wide field assessment will be conducted by the DAC consultants to identify various barriers to safe and equal access at town-owned facilities such as buildings, parks and conservation trails. The assessment work is expected to be completed in the summer of 2020. Based on the field assessment findings and public input, DAC consultants will develop a Transition Plan to prioritize the identified barriers and how they will be corrected over the next several years.
The Town and consultants plan to hold a public forum (date and time to be announced) to receive comments on the survey results and draft Plan.
Ms. Pollock stated, “This plan is important to the continued enjoyment and pride that residents, workers, and visitors alike partake. The Town of Amherst believes that providing full access to programs, services, activities, and public rights-of-way, will serve persons with disabilities and all members of the community who value human rights, diversity of experience, and equal opportunity.”
If you have any questions or comments about the Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan, please contact Maureen Pollock, Planner at pollockm@amherstma.gov or at (413) 259-3120.