Over 1,000 issues regarding accessibility in town facilities were flagged for Kingston officials in a recent report. These issues ranged from lack of accessible seating or clearly visible signage to inadequate handrails and ramps.
The report came from the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), a company contracted by the town to assess its compliance with state and federal laws. It found that much of Kingston public property is currently non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board’s rules and regulations.
The town also lacks a grievance procedure through which members of the public can file ADA complaints, and a majority of the town’s departments do not have stated ADA policies or procedures.
IHCD assessed 13 municipal buildings, five school buildings, six recreation or outdoor facilities, and nine conservation areas. 505 of the accessibility issues are in public schools.
1091 issues, nearly 90%, impede disabled individuals from entering public spaces or accessing services. 438 of those issues are in public schools, 216 are in conservation areas, 135 are in recreation or outdoor facilities and 302 are in other facilities.
There are 112 issues that raise safety concerns, such as lack of tactile exit signs for individuals with visual impairments, short or non-continuous handrails, and exposed plumbing. Of the safety issues noted, 63 are in public schools and 44 are in other facilities.
IHCD delivered a plan to address all 1,221 accessibility issues, including both ADA required and recommended renovations, that could cost anywhere from $884,000 to $3.57 million.
“The overall goal is that all residents of Kingston, regardless of ability, feel that they know about and can participate in all that the town has to offer,” said David West, an accessibility surveyor who co-wrote the draft plan.
The Select Board voted to accept the draft plan Jan. 27, but did not share specifics on how the transition plan might be implemented. It is unclear how much money Kingston will devote to the plan or where that money will come from.
Many of the issues require building new infrastructure, like ramps and handrails. But some only require modifications or repairs of existing infrastructure: some paths need repaving, some doors require new handles, and essential supplies like toilet paper and first aid kits should be moved low enough for anyone to reach.
West recommended that the town prioritize the low- and zero-cost projects outlined in the plan, like clearing space around doorways to make them accessible to wheelchair users and adding braille or contrasting colors to signage.
IHCD’s services were funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Office on Disability, and having an ADA transition plan could qualify the town for more grants to make accessible renovations, Planning Director Valerie Massard said.
Will Cushman, a member of the Commission on Disability, said he hoped the town would pursue a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant, which reimburses municipalities for accessibility renovations.
“The cost could be extravagant in the long run, I suspect,” Select Board Member Carl Pike said, “but I also recognize that these are the types of things that have to be done.”
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