Message from the Executive Director | | |
Dear MOD Community:
I have now served as Executive Director of MOD for 4 months. It has been an enormous honor to have this opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues, pursue accessibility initiatives with new leaders in state government, and to dive into the disability rights work that I love.
However, the transition has not been without its challenges. In early May, I had neck surgery to relieve multiple levels of spinal cord compression. Despite the good fortune of great medical care and acute rehabilitation services, the recovery took longer and was more challenging than expected.
I’m no stranger to navigating the healthcare system and the frustrations that can come with disability-related limitations. I was born ten weeks prematurely and spent most of my childhood in hospitals instead of kid-friendly environments. As I’ve gotten older, many of my childhood medical conditions have re-emerged in new ways (surprise!) and I’ve had to advocate on behalf of close family members with significant disabilities for better medical care.
As a result, I’m thankful for the civil rights protections that create more access to opportunity for people with disabilities, and I’m personally invested in MOD’s work to help people with disabilities understand what these laws mean for them in their daily lives.
I’ve had the opportunity to hear from many of you about how MOD can best serve you. Many in the disability community are concerned about federal budget cuts that could impact vital programs for people with disabilities. MOD continues to monitor what is happening on the federal level and its effect on Massachusetts. We will continue to advise on the nature and impact of changes that are made, and we want to be a place that you feel comfortable reaching out to when you have questions about your personal circumstances.
Here and now at MOD, we’re focused on key areas we know well: disability rights in employment, housing, and access to the digital world. And we’re leading by example by providing guidance and training to our colleagues in state and municipal government to support the effective, non-discriminatory delivery of government services.
A lot of the work of creating a more accessible and inclusive Commonwealth begins at the local level. Our Municipal ADA Grant Selection Committee is hard at work reviewing the record number of applications we received, and we love to see all the creative and innovative ways you’re making your communities more accessible. Municipal ADA Coordinators and Commissions on Disability are valuable allies in this work, and we’re here as a resource to help you advocate for accessibility in your communities.
If you’re a state or municipal ADA Coordinator, join our monthly office hours to ask a question, request a training, or just get to know our team.
To anyone and everyone else, we’re here to answer your questions about disability rights, architectural access, and what the interconnected legal rights and obligations concerning people with disabilities mean for you in your professional or personal life.
Thank you for your continued interest and support of MOD’s mission.
Allan Motenko
Executive Director
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Providing opportunities for people with disabilities in state procurement and contracting
MOD collaborated with the Commonwealth's Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) to establish the new Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EACE) program. State government agencies follow strict rules when choosing outside contractors to do business with. The EACE program seeks to add more businesses owned by people with disabilities and service-disabled veterans to statewide contracts. The EACE program will also help businesses that are already on statewide contracts to identify, hire, and recruit qualified workers with disabilities.
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Over $21 million requested in Municipal ADA Improvement Grant funding for FY26 cycle
MOD's Municipal ADA Improvement Grant broke records again this year for number of applications received, municipalities seeking funding, and total amount of funding requested. This grant provides reimbursement funding to Massachusetts cities and towns for accessibility-related planning and projects.
For the FY26 cycle, we received 197 unique applications from 143 different municipalities requesting a grand total of over $21 million. 148 of these applications were for project grants and 49 were for planning grants. The Grant Selection Committee is reviewing applications and will make their recommendations to the Executive Office of Administration and Finance by the middle of September.
We aim to notify all applicants on their status by the end of October.
Last year, MOD received 140 applications and over $15 million in funding requests. We approved 59 applications (25 planning grants and 34 project grants) and awarded over $4.5 million in grant funding. All reimbursements for last year's grant awardees have been processed.
Some recent projects funded by the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant include:
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New Digital Accessibility Policy for Executive Branch
The Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) recently published an updated Enterprise Digital Accessibility Policy. The policy sets accessibility requirements for building and buying digital assets.
The new policy applies to the Executive Branch, Commonwealth groups that voluntarily use or participate in services provided by EOTSS (such as the mass.gov system), and contracted staff and firms that create, customize, or configure digital assets on behalf of Commonwealth agencies and offices.
This policy can also serve as a helpful guide for Massachusetts municipalities and schools.
Helpful resources related to the policy:
For procurement:
For use with vendors:
General digital accessibility resources:
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Healey-Driscoll Administration awards $290,000 for job training for young adults with disabilities
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $290,000 in grant funding for four initiatives across Massachusetts to provide job training, employment placement, and post-placement services for 40 young adults with disabilities. The funding includes $77,500 to support planning grants for training providers.
The announcement of the Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities grants builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s strategic investments to attract and develop diverse, skilled talent to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers across industries and statewide.
| Curry College President Jay Gonzalez (left) and MOD Executive Director Allan Motenko (right) |
Help select Massachusetts' new seal, flag, and motto
The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission has advanced three seals, three flags, and three mottos to the third round of consideration to replace Massachusetts' current state seal, flag, and motto. View the third round seal, flag, and motto submissions and send your comments to MassFlagAndSealFeedback@mass.gov. Note that emails sent to this address are public record unless the content falls within one of the stated exemptions under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (for example, personal or medical information).
The Advisory Commission will also hold a series of public hearings over the next several months. Virtual participation options will be provided.
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Malden Disability Commission installs playground communication boards
In Malden, families and advocates recognized a need for inclusive communication access in outdoor play spaces.
In response, the City of Malden Mayor’s Office, School Administration, Disability Commission, and parent advocates worked together to install Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Boards on the playgrounds of the Early Learning Center preschool and all five of Malden’s public elementary schools.
MOD provides information and guidance to local Commissions on Disability to help them understand the laws that apply to their establishment and administration. MOD was not involved with this project. To learn more about Commissions on Disability and MOD’s work with them, visit mass.gov/MOD/COD.
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Special Commission on State Institutions publishes final report
The Special Commission on State Institutions (SCSI) was established in 2023 to study the history and continuing impact of Massachusetts’ state institutions, which housed people with intellectual, developmental, and mental health disabilities since the mid-1800s. The Commission was tasked with making recommendations for how Massachusetts can recognize this difficult history and respect the memory of the thousands of people who lived there by properly caring for the cemeteries and records produced.
The Commission, aided by the detailed research of UMass Chan Medical School’s Center for Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Research (CDDER), has completed its work and produced its final reports.
The recommendations fall into 4 broad categories:
- Changes to management, preservation, and access rules,
- Changes to laws around record access,
- Improved access for former patients/residents or their families and researchers, and
- Pathways for the return of institutional records to Massachusetts Archives
See the SCSI's final reports online.
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Accessible voting: What you need to know
Many cities and towns in Massachusetts will have preliminary elections for local offices in the next few months. Preliminary elections narrow the field of candidates before final votes in November.
Under state and federal law, all voting options (including mail-in voting, if available) must be accessible to people with disabilities. Visit Accessible voting: What you need to know for steps you can take to prepare yourself or your municipality for a successful, accessible election day.
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Information for local Commissions on Disability
Municipal Commissions on Disability (CODs) advise municipal governments on the disability community’s needs in their city or town. They inform municipal officials about accessibility concerns and best practices for inclusion of people with disabilities in municipal programs, services, and facilities. Specific priorities and actions depend on the needs of the local disability community. CODs are established by town meeting or city council vote.
MOD provides information and guidance to help Commissions on Disability (CODs) get started, understand their role and responsibilities, and reach their goals. MOD does not set requirements for CODs or enforce any laws or regulations.
Check out these helpful resources for CODs:
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Community Access Monitor (CAM) trainings
October 16 and 23 | 10 AM - 3 PM each day
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.
Register for CAM training: October 16 and 23, 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.
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General Counsel
MOD is seeking a new General Counsel. The General Counsel monitors and oversees all legal matters of the agency; coordinates the Executive Branch's ADA, Section 504, and Executive Order 592 compliance; and provides consultation on disability rights laws.
Applicants must have admission to the Massachusetts Bar and substantial experience in public administration with a deep understanding of disability rights, a track record of organizational leadership, management of social and/or health service programs, and knowledge of policy development.
Full time: 37.5 hours/week
Salary: $100,839.09 - $135,000 with full benefits
This is a hybrid position, with at least two days/week expected in the office.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
| | Events and resources from our community | |
Accessible Trails Public Forum
Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation
Monday, September 15 | 6 PM
Virtual
The Accessible Trails Public Forum is an opportunity for people with disabilities, their loved ones, accessibility advocates, trail designers, and land managers to come together and share insights and experiences. Whether you’ve experienced challenges on trails or have ideas for improving accessibility, your input is essential.
At this forum, the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation will present draft recommendations developed through the Trails for All planning process. Your feedback will help refine these recommendations and guide the final plan.
Register: Accessible Trails Public Forum
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Fourth Thursday ADA Talks
University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI), Southeast ADA Center, and Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University
Multiple dates | 10 - 11 AM
Virtual
This monthly webinar series explores various topics related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
There are two remaining webinars in the series currently scheduled:
ADA Title II for PDFs and Basic Accessibility Techniques
Thursday, September 25 | 10 - 11 AM
Court Cases and the ADA
Thursday, October 23 | 10 - 11 AM
Register for an upcoming ADA Talks webinar and view past webinar recordings online.
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Virtual Reverse Job Fair
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Session 1: Tuesday, October 7 | 10 - 11 AM
Session 2: Tuesday, October 21 | 1 - 1 PM
Virtual
Employers are invited to take part in this Virtual Reverse Job Fair, where talented, legally blind job seekers will showcase their skills, experience, and qualifications.
Unlike a traditional job fair, this innovative format puts job seekers in the spotlight—giving employers a streamlined way to discover motivated, work-ready candidates eager to contribute to organizations across Massachusetts.
Register: Virtual Reverse Job Fair
Note: Registration is only open to employers, not jobseekers.
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Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Universal Access Program
The Universal Access Program (UAP) provides outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts state parks for visitors of all abilities. Check out the Universal Access Program website for information about accessible recreation, upcoming adaptive recreation programs, accessible beaches, volunteering opportunities, and more.
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