Did you know already?
… that people with disabilities in and around Brookline can enjoy almost all types of sport and leisure time with barrier-free facilities, adaptable devices and well-founded coaching?
Facilities: City staff and volunteers value equal access to Brookline’s parks, recreational facilities, and programs. Commissioner Erin Gallentine says: “One of the goals of the Department of Public Works is to provide beautiful, highly functional, accessible and sustainable parks and public spaces to create opportunities for recreation, connection, improved environment and public health, joy and belonging”, means institutions that “create a sense of inclusion and belonging for all”. If you can get involved in the redesign or renovation of any open space or recreational facilities in the city, please support designs that are suitable for children and adults of all abilities!
Facilities: The Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center has changing platforms, wheelchair-accessible showers and toilets, and an elevator next to each of the three pools so that people with reduced mobility can enjoy swimming.
Programming: Brookline administers a recovery therapy program to provide targeted and goal-oriented recovery programs and integration support for people with disabilities, injuries, and illnesses. See https://www.brooklinerec.com/190/Recreation-Therapy and contact Micah Barshay, CTRS with questions and suggestions: [email protected]
Just outside of our borders, we are fortunate to have a plethora of adaptive exercise programs run by nonprofits in the greater Boston area. Some examples:
If you love sports like these, become a volunteer to help others enjoy them!
News and events
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates its 31st anniversary on July 26th. The ADA has changed the lives of people with disabilities, but there is MUCH more to be achieved. Each of us can acquire a disability through illness, injury or aging, so that we can ALL benefit from it as an individual and as a society!
The MBTA is currently working on the Redesign of the bus network Project www.mbta.com/projects/bus-network-redesign to revolutionize the bus experience for those who depend on it the most and who need your contribution! The online poll, open until July 30th, asks:
- Will the MBTA take you where you want to go?
- Is MBTA driving a good option for you if you have somewhere to go?
Spotlight organization
The ADA National Network is a federal program that supports the ADA’s mission to “enable all people with disabilities to live in freedom and equality”. The New England ADA Center provides information and guidance on disability rights laws and codes and is located at the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), 180-200 Portland Street, Boston. IHCD provides training and advice on best practices for designing places, things, communications and policies that work for everyone across all skills and ages. www.newenglandada.org/about-center
Join us!
BCOD meets monthly, usually on the 2nd Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The public is always welcome! Check the city calendar 48 hours in advance for the agenda and information on how to attend: www.brooklinema.gov/calendar.aspx.
Comments are closed.