Boston Pledges 1,600 ADA Curb Ramps Yearly Under Binding Consent Decree

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.