Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2021 Public hearing on improving beach access for people with disabilities slated for November 30 O n Tuesday, November 30, at 10 a.m., the Metropolitan Beaches Commission and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will convene a Virtual Public Hearing focused on improving access for people with disabilities on the Commonwealth’s public beaches in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull. The public is welcome to join us to share their thoughts on what is working and what we can do better. You can register for the hearing at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/reg Attorneys at Law 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. ister/tZUtfuqgrj0sG9TqjeIa1rCNfl HCx69GR_mF At the hearing, we expect to hear from members of the disability community as well as a panel of experts including; Ellen Attaliades, President and CEO of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), Kristen McCosh, Commissioner of the Boston Disabilities Commission, Coleman Nee, Chief Executive Offi cer of Triangle, Inc., Kathy Laff erty, Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood House and Laila Soleimani, Outreach Specialist at DCR’s Universal Access Program. Acting DCR Commissioner Stephanie Cooper is also expected to attend. Late last spring, the Commission decided to focus attention on ways to increase diversity, equity and inclusion on the Metropolitan Region’s public beaches, to improve access for people of color, people with disabilities, and people who may not speak English as their primary language. In May, we heard from a diverse group of civic leaders and community members about ways in which we could increase diversity on the beaches and in our beach programming. “We hope to do for equity, diversity and inclusion what we did for management and maintenance of the Metropolitan Beaches.” said State Senator Brendan Crighton. “Working together we will provide DCR and our communities a blueprint for improving public access to take these beaches from good to great.” After the November 30, hearing on improving access for people with disabilities, in January of 2022 the MBC will hold a hearing on language barriers that aff ect public safety and enjoyment on our region’s public beaches. “Our state beaches are public treasures that belong to all of us” said State Representative Adrian Madaro. “We need to advance environmental justice and center diversity, equity, and inclusion so that people of all backgrounds, conditions, and abilities can enjoy them for years to come.” Following that hearing, the Commission will host a Virtual Summit, at which they will present their preliminary fi ndings to a broad and diverse audience of beach users to get their thoughts and input. Following the Summit, the Commission will share a report of their fi ndings and recommendations with the Legislature, the Administration, DCR and the public. It will serve as a roadmap for improving access and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion on our public beaches going forward. “The legislative and the community members of the Commission hope that this hearing will help us better understand the challenges facing people with disabilities on the metropolitan beaches,” said Chris Mancini, executive director of Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay. “We are looking forward to working together with DCR to develop strategies to improve access to these spectacular urban natural resources for everyone.”
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