Submitted by The Fairhaven Commission on Disability: Advocating for Access, Advising for Action
The Commission on Disability (COD) is a group of nine members, established by town meeting in May of 1997.
The commission was established to identify and eliminate barriers for those with a disability. These barriers may be architectural, procedural, attitudinal or barriers in communicating with others. Our purpose is to create a more welcoming and inclusive town, for residents, visitors and guests as well through universal design.
We work to accomplish these goals by advising the town regarding barriers to building access, how materials are shared and educating people about various disabilities and advocating for changes necessary. Our collaboration with town departments is key to our success and to increasing accessibility for all.
Some of our successes include the following.
Assisting in writing a grant application through the Massachusetts Office of Disability. This grant enabled the town to hire a consultant, Institue for Human Centered Design.
IHCD surveyed every town property, creating a draft report which is available online. Please preview the report and join us at the public hearing Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in town hall. Come share your observations and thoughts regarding IHCD’s findings and recommendations.
Rare Riders, a group in Freetown and Dartmouth donated their first accessible child’s bicycle to Fairhaven. The bike may be signed out through the Recreation Center.
Understanding how important the ability to communicate is we purchased a Communication Board from the Flutie Foundation. This board was installed by the BPW last October. The board enables less verbal children and adults to point to specific pictures with words underneath to express their needs.
To educate people we have participated in outreach events, such as Fairhaven Huttleston Marketplace, the After-Hours Event sponsored by the Economic Development Committee and speaking at Select Board meetings. We are reaching out to restaurants to advise them of their ability to secure menus in Braille.
Please reach out with your ideas, concerns, thoughts or questions about accessibility. We are on Facebook or email us at: fairhavencod-ma. Gov. We meet monthly on the second Thursday. Come join us.
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