Boston Disability Board Hears Fenway Pitch, Eyes State Accessibility Bills

BOSTON -- May 17, 2023, Boston's Disability Commission Advisory Board pressed Fenway Park representatives on closed-captioning gaps and companion-seating limits while also advancing two state accessibility bills toward a future vote. Chair Wes and Commissioner Krista McCosh, the city's ADA Title II Coordinator, hosted Sarah Coffin and Brenna Peterson of the Red Sox SAND Network, who outlined new assisted listening technology and upcoming themed nights including Disability Pride Night on July 26. Coffin acknowledged that adding live captions to Fenway's main scoreboard remains unresolved, caught between Red Sox and Major League Baseball jurisdiction, even as McCosh noted a city ordinance already requires captioning in public-facing venues. Mary Cooper of the Boston chapter of United Spinal used public comment to call for the removal of fixed companion seats next to wheelchair-accessible spots, arguing the current configuration prevents groups of wheelchair users from sitting together. The board agreed to revisit a support letter for state bills H.2291 and S.1553, which would extend Massachusetts Architectural Access Board oversight to employee workspaces in new and renovated buildings, at its June meeting, with no legislative hearing date yet set. McCosh also announced she will travel to Washington around June 1 to meet with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on paratransit funding, rideshare accessibility, and in-flight wheelchair securement.