Boston Disability Commission Cancels August Meeting, Closes Parking Placard Debate

BOSTON -- June 12, 2024, Boston's Disability Commission Advisory Board voted unanimously to cancel its August meeting and closed weeks of internal discussion on disability parking placards for pregnant residents at its June 12 meeting. Board Secretary Carl Richardson chaired in place of Wesley Eyland, convening seven members. Julianne Lee, executive director of the Mayor's Office for LGBTQ Advancement, presented the office's work, citing a $250,000 Pride mini-grant fund doubled from $150,000 through a one-time salary surplus and $350,000 secured for emergency housing for transgender and non-binary Bostonians. Chief of Staff Andrea Patton announced a new Accessible Park Features map live at boston.gov/disability covering 86 parks, and reported Boston Public Schools bus driver staffing at 743 of a 745 target. Patricia Mendez, director of architectural access, said a state architectural access bill has passed the House and would require accessible employee work areas and replace the term "physically handicapped" in state law. The board directed staff to continue educating the public on existing temporary placard eligibility for pregnant people with disabilities, rather than pursue new policy, with a possible letter to City Council if a public hearing is called.