Access Brookline: Traveling Near and Far

Did you know?

Getting back to flying post-pandemic and planning some trips in 2024? Check out the Air Travel Consumer Reports published monthly by the US Department of Transportation to see which airlines and airports perform the best, the worst, and everywhere in between, in terms of adherence to schedules, handling of baggage and wheelchairs, and more. The Department’s Aviation Consumer Protection website offers one-stop shopping on your rights as a traveler and how to rectify problems, including new commitments by airlines regarding seating families together and responding to delays and cancellations. And… any traveler with a disability should familiarize themselves with the definitive resources on the Traveling with a Disability site!

This summer, the U.S. Access Board issued final Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines, which provide detailed instruction for all levels of government that are obliged to make public streets and sidewalks accessible under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. The Board maintains a rich library of webinar recordings explaining standards, design principles and rules that promote equal access for those to disabilities to all sorts of facilities and services available to the public. The next webinar, on making the full experience of sporting events accessible to disabled spectators, takes place on January 4 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Spotlight Organization: WalkMassachusetts

Are you interested in banding together with community-based advocates from Greater Boston and beyond to pursue improvements in pedestrian facilities (like sidewalks, curb cuts, crossings, and signals), remove barriers, and increase safety? If so, consider participating in WalkMassachusetts’ monthly Zoom meetings on 3rd Wednesdays to learn and share. Often a guest speaker joins to share expertise and elicit feedback. This group is inclusive of the needs of those with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, as you can see here. The next meeting is December 20, 1-2 p.m.

And closer to home, don’t overlook Brookline’s own Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which advises the Transportation Board on conditions and plans affecting the safe and easy movement of pedestrians of all abilities throughout the Town, and collaborates with Brookline departments to fix and improve conditions. PedAC meets (via Zoom) monthly, usually on the 2nd Monday at 7 p.m.

News & Events

Meetings and other events tend to go quiet in December, so set your sights on January and start 2024 off right by joining the Brookline Commission on Disability at our next monthly virtual meeting, usually the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm. You are always welcome, and every meeting starts with a public comment period. Check the town calendar 48 hours in advance to see the agenda and info on how to participate: www.brooklinema.gov/calendar.aspx.