Even as the Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that municipalities and private businesses, faith-based institutions and organizations that no barriers keep people with disabilities out, the fact is that across cities, sidewalks are not cut so that people with wheelchairs — and baby strollers — can navigate from their vehicle or to an entrance, and Holyoke is not an exception.

There are many examples of how people with disabilities keep people from carrying out their activities.

Holyoke has a mayoral-appointed Commission on Disabilities that advises the city on how to make the city accessible, Linda Pratt interviews Lyn Horan, vice chair of the Commission on Disabilities. For more information, visit the commission’s website here: https://www.holyoke.org/departments/commission-on-disabilities/ and the ADA government website here:https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/

Members of the Commission of Disabilities are Mayoral appointed with City Council confirmation.

They have the following responsibilities:

Research local problems affecting people with disabilities;

Advice and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities;
Coordinate and/or implement programs designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities in compliance with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability;
Review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities, and facilities of departments, boards, and agencies of Holyoke as they affect people with disabilities;
Provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability;
and Coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes.

This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to serve our community. If you are interested in applying to sit on this Commission, please submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Mayor’s Office or by e-mail at mayorsoffice@holyoke.org