Boston Disability Board Approves Abilities Expo Invitation, Defers Court Reporter Bill Letter

BOSTON — April 9, 2025 — Boston's Disability Commission Advisory Board voted unanimously to invite the Abilities Expo to Boston and deferred action on a letter supporting state legislation to raise court reporter pay pending an executive committee review. Board Chair Terry Boyd and Commissioner Kristen McCosh presided over the April 9 meeting, which also featured a presentation by Jennifer Vivar-Wong, director of the Office of Language and Communications Access, who described her office's growth from three to roughly 12 full-time staff since 2021 and a centralized accommodation budget that handled approximately 880 requests last year. McCosh announced a disability housing task force will relaunch in July and flagged a city council hearing on sidewalk accessibility, date yet to be set. Member Carl Richardson disclosed he is working with state Representative Christine Barber on House Bill 2066, which would fine Uber and Lyft for service animal ride denials, and with Senator Joan Lovely on a companion bill to give local police enforcement authority.