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DISABILITY ACCESS COMMISSION
Over the past year the Disability Access Commission has continued its mandate to provide the community with information, referrals and assistance on a range of disability access issues. From helping a middle school student with a class project on disabilities, to co-sponsoring an educational presentation on disability issues within the community in conjunction with Belmont Against Racism, and the Belmont Developmental Disabilities Council, the Commission has worked diligently throughout the year to meet this objective.
One of the primary focuses of the Disability Access Commission this year has been the Town Hall Complex Renovation Project. Commission Vice-Chair Ray Glazier has continued to serve as our representative on the building committee, reporting back to our Commission on all issues relating to disability access throughout the project. His diligence in this effort will surely benefit the entire community as well as people with disabilities when these buildings are finally completed. We are grateful to both the members of the building committee and to the architects for the responsive manner in which they have addressed the concerns that have been raised by our Commission.
A highlight of the Commission's work this year was the implementation of a new volunteer program to assist people with disabilities with simple daily activities that they might otherwise not be able to perform themselves. The program, which was implemented in November, partners up with both the high school and the middle school community service projects as well as with adult volunteers. The students, as well as the non-student volunteers are matched up with people with disabilities who need simple chores performed for them. Things like shopping, shoveling snow, raking leaves, or just visiting with a shut-in, are some of the many services we hope to provide through the program. Besides offering people with disabilities a little bit of help that otherwise may not be available, the program also gives students the opportunity
to fulfill their community service requirements. Although the program is still in its infancy we are confident that it will grow to become a valuable community resource for years to come. With both federal and state government cutting back on the resources available to assist people with disabilities it has become increasingly more important for local communities to pick up the slack however they can. Over the course of the next year it is our hope that the program will expand to include more volunteers and the ability to serve more people.
The Commission looks forward to our work in the upcoming year as we continue working towards full community access for people living with disabilities. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many town employees, officials, and community residents who have been so supportive of our efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
Art Heron, Chair
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