Boston Pledges 1,600 ADA Curb Ramps Yearly Under Binding Consent Decree
Boston's Disability Commission held its first live indoor community forum since the pandemic, drawing Mayor Michelle Wu and more than a dozen city department heads to hear from residents on accessibility gaps citywide.
BOSTON -- July 19, 2026, Boston's Disability Commission held its first live indoor community forum since the pandemic, drawing Mayor Michelle Wu and more than a dozen city department heads to hear from residents on accessibility gaps citywide. Commissioner Kristin Bacosch confirmed that a consent decree with disability advocates requires the city to install 1,600 new ADA-compliant curb ramps per year in addition to its standard construction program, with a dedicated online complaint form at boston.gov promising investigation within 30 days. Michelle, the Ride's new chief of paratransit, acknowledged on-time performance and miss-trip problems stemming from a software rollback and a nationwide driver shortage, saying "we are seeing improvements." BTD's Charlotte described center-running bus lanes on Columbus Avenue as an accessibility advance, allowing full curb pull-up and ramping-free wheelchair boarding, with Blue Hill Avenue next in line. Mayor Wu called the MBTA's stair-only station access "unacceptable" and announced the city's annual ADA Day celebration would open the partially renovated City Hall Plaza on July 19 before construction resumes in August.
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