Boston Disability Board Hears Food Access Gaps, Plans ADA 35 March and Rally

BOSTON -- May 21, 2025, Boston's Disability Commission Advisory Board heard warnings of a 12-month wait list for medically tailored meals and outlined plans for an ADA 35th anniversary march as it met May 21. Melissa Honeywood, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Food Justice, told the board that demand for prepared-meal programs "far outstrips the supply," with Community Servings reporting a wait approaching one year for new participants; only six Boston restaurants currently accept SNAP for prepared meals. Commissioner Kristen McCosh announced that the Abilities Expo, a national disability trade show that abandoned Boston over hotel costs, has new ownership and expressed interest in returning for 2027 after receiving a letter from the advisory board. McCosh also detailed ADA 35, a July 26 in-person march and rally starting at City Hall Plaza at noon and ending at the Embrace Memorial on Boston Common, calling it a show of force for disability rights amid federal policy uncertainty. The board tabled work on a mayoral candidate disability survey after staff coordinator Andrea Patton cautioned that board members, as special city employees, may be barred from directly contacting candidates, and Chair Jerry Boyd said the question would be referred to legal counsel.