MOD Newsletter: March 2026 | | Message from the Executive Director | | |
Dear MOD community:
It's been almost one year since I joined MOD as Executive Director. I'm thrilled to be back doing what I love: promoting accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. I began my career at MOD over a decade ago, starting as a civil rights advocate. After many years in public service at other agencies, it feels good to be back "home".
I'm proud to work with a dedicated and talented team. Every day, we analyze the intricacies of civil rights laws and architectural access regulations, researching and talking through gray areas and tricky situations. We know these laws have the power to significantly impact people's daily lives. When you contact MOD to ask how a law or regulation applies to your job, your business, your housing, or your access to critical services, we translate our research into plain language guidance and practical advice so you can get what you need.
It's also an honor and privilege to work with you, our community partners. Local and state ADA Coordinators, Commissions on Disability, advocacy groups, and all the dedicated self-advocates who contact us every day - thank you. You are our eyes and ears on the ground, helping us build a more accessible and inclusive Commonwealth.
Keep the questions coming! Our online disability rights guidance, free trainings, and other resources are all informed by the questions we get from real people every day. If we don't have the answer already, we'll do the research and analysis, consult with our network, and get you the answers you need.
Thank you and happy spring,
Allan Motenko
Executive Director
Massachusetts Office on Disability
| | CAP assistance with VR and IL services | | |
Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services help jobseekers with disabilities prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment (including self-employment). In Massachusetts, VR services are provided by MassAbility and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB).
Independent living (IL) services help people with disabilities live independently through independent living skills training, peer support, advocacy, support transitioning from child or institutional settings to living as an adult in the community, and information and referral. Centers for Independent Living provide IL services.
Are you interested in applying for VR or IL services? Are you receiving services but not getting what you need? MOD's CAP team may be able to help.
Contact CAP to:
- Learn about how vocational rehabilitation (VR) services at MassAbility and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and independent living (IL) services from the Centers for Independent Living could help you work or live independently in the community,
- Understand how VR and IL services are supposed to work,
- Get direct help in addressing a concern or problem with your VR or IL services,
- Talk through how to advocate for yourself to address a concern or problem with VR or IL services, or
- Get help if you're found ineligible for services
Visit mass.gov/MOD/CAP for more information. Note: MOD and CAP do not provide VR or IL services.
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Riders' Transportation Access Group (RTAG) organizes new working groups
The Riders' Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is organizing its work into four focused working groups, based on key priority areas:
- Bus and subway working groups:
- Blind and Low-Vision Accessibility Working Group
- Municipal Coordination Working Group
- Community Outreach and Engagement Working Group
- The RIDE Working Group
The working groups are open to members of the public. General RTAG meetings will continue and will focus on information sharing.
RTAG is a community-based group that advises the MBTA on transportation matters impacting people with disabilities and older adults.
If you would like to become involved with RTAG, contact RTAGboston@bostoncil.org.
| | Accessible Housing Special Commission members met with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to present their final report. Left to right: Governor Maura Healey; MOD Executive Director Allan Motenko; Matthew Steele, Esq, Disability Law Center; William Joyce, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB); Former Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Edward Augustus, Jr.; Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Photo credit: Josh Qualls | |
Accessible Housing Special Commission publishes final report and recommendations
The Accessible Housing Special Commission's final report was published in December. The Commission identified barriers to accessible housing production and made recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for removing those barriers.
The Commission's recommendations include:
- Increasing accessibility standards in state-funded housing,
- Expediting permitting for accessibility improvements in housing,
- Improving the usability of the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs (CHAMP) and Housing Navigator MA, and
- Updating accessibility regulation language to more explicitly include people with intellectual, developmental, and sensory disabilities
The Accessible Housing Special Commission was established in August 2024 as a part of the Affordable Homes Act. MOD Executive Director Allan Motenko served on the Commission.
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Digital accessibility training and resources
From: The Accessibility Center for Consulting, Education, and Support (ACCESS) Team at the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
The ACCESS Team's Accessibility Training Resource Center has self-paced and instructor-led training on accessibility techniques. Search the training library or sign up for a live training to get hands-on, practical tips on topics like:
- Fundamentals of digital accessibility
- AI and accessibility
- Data visualization accessibility
- PDF remediation
- And more!
Reminder: According to a Department of Justice final rule, state and local governments with a population of 50,000 or more must bring their digital content into compliance with WCAG 2.1, level AA digital accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. State and local governments with a population of 0 to 49,999 must be in compliance by April 26, 2027.
| | Upcoming events and trainings | |
Community Access Monitor (CAM) trainings
Hosted by: Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)
Various times
Virtual
The Community Access Monitor (CAM) Program trains you to survey buildings for accessibility and use your skills to advocate for compliance with various rules and regulations.
It is designed for people who want to advocate for increased access in their community and those who want to understand their obligations to provide access to the disability community, such as building inspectors, architects, business owners, builders, and Commissions on Disability.
The training covers:
- History of disability laws, regulations and rights
- Regulations of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessible design
- New construction/alterations and existing facilities
- Effective communication
- How to survey a facility
- How to advocate for access
- Rights and responsibilities of a Community Access Monitor
Time commitment and registration instructions:
Beginner CAM training is a two-day training from 10 AM - 3 PM each day (10 hours total). There will be short breaks throughout. Registering online will register you for day 1. The link will register you for Day 1 only. Once you register, we will register you for Day 2. You will receive emails from Zoom with the meeting links for Day 1 and Day 2.
To obtain a Course Completion Certificate for the 2-Day Online CAM training, you must attend at least 75% of each of the sessions.
Register for a CAM training (10 AM - 3 PM each day):
Please note: Registration is limited. If you receive a message that the registration is full, please sign up for another training date or contact Ralph DeCicco, MOD's Access Specialist, at Ralph.DeCicco@mass.gov or (617) 979-7312.
Advanced CAM training
Advanced CAM trainings are available for people who have completed the 2-day CAM training in the past. You will be directly invited from MOD through email.
On-site site visit training
On-site site visit trainings are available for people who have completed the 2-day CAM training in the past. You will be directly invited from MOD through email.
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Statewide COD meetings
Hosted by: Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)
Two dates available: April 15, 2026 and October 8, 2026 | 10 - 11:30 AM
Virtual
Learn about MOD's support and resources for local Commissions on Disability (COD), including new initiatives; meet other CODs; and get tips on effectively achieving your COD's goals.
Statewide COD meetings are exclusively for COD chairs, members, municipal employee liaisons, and people interested in starting a COD in their community.
Two dates available:
Note: You will not receive a Zoom link immediately after registering. Your registration will be approved by MOD, and then you will receive an email with the link.
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Digital Accessibility Foundations training
Hosted by: Pacific ADA Center
Four classes. First class is Wednesday, April 15 from 1 - 3 PM (Eastern)
Virtual
Cost: $40
This training will prepare you for the upcoming Department of Justice (DOJ) digital accessibility rule changes for state and local governments and explain how to meet WCAG Level AA guidelines in practice. You will also be introduced to practical accessibility tools and resources you can start using right away.
The training includes four classes. See the registration page for details on dates and times.
Register: Digital Accessibility Foundations
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Municipal ADA Improvement Grant information sessions
Hosted by: Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)
Two dates available: Thursday, April 23 and Thursday, May 21 | 1 - 2 PM
Virtual
Join Evan George, Grant Compliance Coordinator for MOD's Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program, to learn about MOD's Municipal ADA Improvement Grant and tips for strengthening your application. The FY27 grant application will open on May 1, 2026. Cities, towns, municipal housing authorities, and municipal school districts are eligible to apply.
Register: April 23 Municipal ADA Grant Information Session
Register: May 21 Municipal ADA Grant Information Session
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National ADA Symposium
Hosted by: Great Plains ADA Center and the ADA National Network
Monday, May 4, 2026 - Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM (Eastern)
Virtual
Cost: $175 for one day or $475 for full conference
This three-day training event offers 36 sessions covering all areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) presented by nationally recognized experts in issues related to the ADA. View the agenda and session descriptions and register online. One-day and full conference registration options are available.
Register: National ADA Symposium
Deadline to register: April 24, 2026
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