Disabilities Commission
We facilitate full and equal participation in all aspects of life by persons with disabilities in Boston.
Our mission is to increase opportunities for people with disabilities by facilitating full and equal participation in all aspects of life within the City of Boston. This includes reducing architectural, procedural, attitudinal, and communication barriers as well as promoting equity in housing, education, employment, transportation, and civic activities.
Our office works toward compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We also provide information and referral, architectural access review, and advocacy on disability issues.
Contact
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 967Boston, MA 02201-2041 -
Office hoursMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -
TTY: 617-635-2541 -
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ADA Title II Compliance
Commissioner Kristen McCosh
Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities
1 City Hall Square, Room 967
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-3682 (voice)
617-635-2541 (tty)
617-635-2726 (fax)
disability@boston.gov
Learn more about how the City of Boston complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Submission of AAB Variance Applications
In order to promote environmentally-friendly operational practices, The City of Boston Disabilities Commission is encouraging Architectural Access Board applicants to send variance and amendment applications electronically via email, in lieu of physical mailed-in copies on an ongoing basis. Please adhere to the following guidelines for electronic submission.
Please email ada@boston.gov, should there be any questions or concerns.
- Applications should be addressed to Commissioner Kristen McCosh and sent to ada@boston.gov
- The email submissions should have the subject line: [Address] - AAB Variance Application
- The application and all attachments must be in .pdf format in a single file, except where that file exceeds 15 megabytes.
- If the file should exceed 15 megabytes, it may be broken up into as few files as possible to fall below the size limit.
Upcoming events
EventsDisability Commission Annual Report for 2018 / 2019
The annual report highlights the work that the commission has done to improve accessibility in Boston over the last year.
Disability resources
Resources for those with disabilities who need transportation help.
Accessible taxi cabs are known as Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs).
You can appeal the City's decision if your application was denied.
The advisory group keeps our commission updated on local issues.
American Sign Language and other language access in the City of Boston
Applying for an accessible parking spot? Learn the rules first.
2022 Advisory Board meetings
The Disability Commission Advisory Board typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our meetings will be held remotely for the foreseeable future.
- Call to Order
- Introductions
- Approval of prior month's minutes
- Administrative Updates
- Chair’s Report
- Commissioner's Report – Kristen McCosh
- Upcoming Events and Announcements
- Old Business
- New Business
- New Action Items
- Public Input
- Adjournment
Meet our Staff
Staff
