ATHOL – The Department of Planning and Development is urging residents to complete a survey which will help identify potential barriers to access at town facilities for persons with disabilities.
Results will assist in developing a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan that ensures residents and visitors alike can access municipal facilities and services. The town has contracted with the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management at UMass Boston to assist in the development of the plan, which are required under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991.
Once the results are in, the town will seek additional input on how best to address deficiencies and remove these barriers. Planning and Development Director Eric Smith said the initiative is being taken in order to update a plan developed some two decades ago.
“This plan is meant to focus on facilities, programs, and services, but what we’re also thinking of obviously is the sidewalks out there,” said Smith. “About two-thirds of the people (who’ve completed the survey) identify sidewalks as a problem.”
He said the survey asks for basic demographic information as well as if anyone has had issues with accessing a town facility or recreation areas.
“In the Open Space Plan, the state actually wants to address open space/recreational facilities, too. We certainly want to hear about that,” Smith said. “We’re trying to do more and more of that.”
The survey asks about the convenience of sidewalks, crosswalks, push buttons at crosswalks (where available), curb ramps and pedestrian crossings at driveways. It asks if individuals know who in town government to contact in order to make a request for an accommodation or register a complaint. It also covers difficulties accessing Town Meetings, board or committee meetings, or elections.
Smith said the town received a Community Compact Grant of $30,000, which is being used in part to pay for the contract with the Collins Center. Smith credited Athol Building Inspector Bob Legare for initiating the project. Smith isn’t aware of any municipal buildings where accessibility is a problem, “but that’s why we want to hear from the public.”
The deadline for responding to the survey is May 19. To access it, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/AtholAccessibility. Hard copies are also available at Athol Public Library, Athol Senior Center/Council on Aging, and the Town Clerk’s office.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.