Disability Commission Would Replace Defunct Access Committee

BREWSTER – At the Nov. 16 fall town meeting, residents will decide the fate of a number of articles, including Article 10, which would establish a commission on disabilities as described by state statute.

That commission, if backed by voters, would advise town decision-makers on a variety of issues all related to residents with disabilities, including renovation of existing or building of new facilities. 

According to Massachusetts law (Chapter 40, Section 8J), municipal commissions on disability, or CODs, “advise municipal governments on the disability community’s needs in their city or town. They inform municipal officials about accessibility concerns and best practices for inclusion of people with disabilities in municipal programs, services, and facilities.”

The select board voted unanimously on Oct. 19 to put the question on the fall town meeting warrant. That meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at Stony Brook Elementary School at 384 Underpass Rd.

Under state law, disability commissions are charged with certain tasks and responsibilities, which include researching the problems of residents with disabilities; advising and assisting municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations that affect people with disabilities; coordinating or carrying out programs designed to address the problems of people with disabilities; reviewing and making recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments, boards and agencies as they affect people with disabilities; providing information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; and coordinating activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes.

Brewster does have a history of accommodating those with disabilities. According to information on the issue in the fall warrant, in 1985 Brewster created a “committee for the handicapped.” In 1999, that committee morphed into the ‘all citizens access committee.’ That group was “charged with advising the town of any problems regarding building accessibility in Brewster. This committee has been inactive since 2019,” per the town website, reportedly due to a lack of volunteers.

If town meeting voters accept this new committee, per the Brewster website it would be composed of five to 13 members, the majority of whom would have a disability as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Key town stakeholders could work with the new commission, with that list including town workers and volunteers in positions with recreation, historical, council on aging, Brewster Ladies Library, schools, public works, and natural resources sectors.

Some specifics that would be on the new disability commission’s table include working with town staff on completing an ADA self-evaluation and then developing a transition plan. There are also upcoming Brewster accessibility projects, including at Freemans Fields, Sea Camps and Crosby Mansion properties.