Cambridge, Massachusetts Wins Grand Prize in National Organization on Disability 2005 Accessible America Competition
Update: (May 29, 2006) For additional information, please see the invitation to the award ceremony, which is to be held on June 12, 2006 at Cambridge City Hall.
Source: City of Cambridge Press Release, 3/17/06
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The National Organization on Disability has selected Cambridge, Massachusetts as the Accessible America 2005 grand prize award winner. The award recognizes Cambridge as a national model for its focus on disability issues and for its successful design of programs, services and facilities.
Many City programs and services were highlighted in the award. With respect to promoting accessible transportation, Cambridge has had an accessible taxicab program for over 10 years and recently funded a centralized dispatching service, Accessible Cambridge Taxi to improve services to the community. In addition, to contribute to the affordability of taxi services, the City funds a taxi-coupon program for disabled residents (and seniors) and has increased the face value of the coupons as taxi rates have increased.
Cambridge was also recognized for its promotion of accessibility through its annual capital funding process with funding for the removal of barriers in public buildings, for funding of the Façade Improvement Program, which requires businesses that receive matching funds to make their entrances accessible, and for its commitment to accessibility in the review and funding of open space projects, with over two dozen parks and playgrounds having been made accessible.
With respect to promoting participation in city services and programs, the award recognizes the City's adoption of an Inclusion Policy for Out of School Time Programs and the City's Department of Human Service Programs Inclusion Initiative to enhance the capacity of all of its out of school time programs to better serve children with disabilities. The award notes the Department's efforts to ensure that programs are welcoming to children with disabilities through the extensive training of staff and the hiring of an Inclusion Specialist who is available to provide on-site coaching at city programs.
Finally, the award recognizes the very important role played by the City's Commission for Person with Disabilities in promoting accessibility. The Commission and its volunteer board, most of whom have some physical, mental or sensory disability or live with a relative who does, work tirelessly to help the City communicate a welcoming attitude. Commission staff and members sit on a variety of City entities ensuring that the issues of our disabled residents and visitors are addressed. They sit on the City's Open Space Committee, the Special Events Planning Committee, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee. They work with the faith-based community to help make programs and services accessible. The Commission also ensures that there is appropriate communication to the disability community through a bi-monthly newsletter and a website. The Commission has also worked to ensure that publications about living in Cambridge include information for people with disabilities about access and services.
The City will be recognized formally this Spring when the National Organization on Disability and the United Parcel Service, which is funding the $25,000 prize, will come to Cambridge to celebrate the award. The second and third prizes will go to West Hollywood, CA and Austin, TX respectfully. The Accessible America Contest, administered by N.O.D.'s Community Partnership Program, is sponsored by generous grants from United Parcel Service (UPS) and Wal-Mart. West Hollywood and Austin will receive Wal-Mart sponsored cash awards of $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Contact:
Nancy Starnes
202-293-5960
starnes@nod.org
Carolyn Thompson
617-349-4692
cthompson@cambridgema.gov
