In 1968, MA led the nation’s efforts to make communities accessible for all by creating the MA Architectural Access Board(MAAB) that balances the interests of property owners and accessibility needs by establishing and enforcing building codes during permitting, which is more efficient and affordable. Unfortunately:

  • The MAAB was not given purview over workplaces.
  • The MAAB does not have jurisdiction over renovations of buildings constructed before 1991.

The state of Massachusetts does not meet basic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Learn more about the Massachusetts bills that would solve these shortcomings, and help us advocate for improved accessibility!

2021 State Bills

Housing

House Bill 2420 Adaptable Housing: An Act Relative To Expanding The Availability Of Adaptable Housing For Consumers With Disabilities, Mobility Impairments, And Seniors

Download House Bill 2420 Fact Sheet (pdf).

no-step entrance in apartment building.
  • Nobody should have to choose between an unsafe residence and a nursing home
  • Everyone deserves to live, work, and participate in their communities
  • Make Massachusetts a leader in accessible housing again

Workplaces

House Bill 2419 Accessible Workplaces: An Act Removing Barriers To Work That Discriminate Against Persons With Disabilities, Mobility Impairments, And Seniors

Download House Bill 2419 Fact Sheet (pdf).

accessible bathroom with room for wheelchair and accessible sink
  • Time for Massachusetts to provide accessible workplaces
  • Creating accessible workplaces is a win for all
  • The Accessible Workplaces MA Act will open doors to employment for people with disabilities

Senate Bill 1629 – Workplaces and Housing

Senate Bill 1629: An Act Building a More Accessible Massachusetts, sponsored by Senator Michael Moore

Download Senate Bill 1629 Fact Sheet (pdf).

Everyone deserves to live and participate in communities – not be forced to choose between an unsafe residence and a nursing home

  • As spotlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, living in nursing homes puts people at greater risk for disease than those who live independently. Over 60% of people who have died from the virus lived in nursing homes.
  • 87% of our rapidly growing aging population does not want to relocate to nursing homes.
  • An estimated 20%-40% of nursing home residents could live independently if we had enough accessible housing.
  • According to the CDC, in-home falls from lack of accessibility features like grab bars cost Massachusetts $972 million per year.
  • The best way for older adults and people with disabilities to live full and safe lives is to build housing that can be adapted to meet their changing needs.
  • The Massachusetts Architectural Access Board(MAAB) balances the interests of property owners and accessibility needs by establishing and enforcing building codes during permitting, which is more efficient and affordable. However, the MAAB does not have jurisdiction over renovations of buildings constructed before 1991.
  • Bill S. 1629 will close this loophole and require that adaptability features be added, when reasonable, to any building being gut-rehabilitated into multi-unit housing.

Time for MA to provide accessible workplaces – a win for all

  • Over 15% of the population has a disability and over 70% of working-age people in MA with ambulatory disabilities are unemployed.
  • Businesses cannot recruit or retain the best workers when their facilities are inaccessible and qualified employees are being denied their civil right to engage in meaningful employment.
  • MAAB code does not require workspace accessibility even in new or extensively renovated buildings, failing to meet basic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
  • Bill S. 1629 would give the MAAB purview over workplaces, enforcing accessibility in new or extensively renovated workplaces will achieve crucial alignment with the ADA.
  • The state will receive increased tax revenues and reduce expenditures for benefits.
  • Everyone will benefit from the safety and convenience of workplace accessibility features. They will be assured that, if they or loved ones become disabled, they can continue to work

The Latest

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For The Disabled, Office Accessibility Is Often A Dealbreaker — But It Doesn’t Have To Be

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70% of people with ambulatory disabilities in MA are unemployed

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COVID-19 poses unnecessary risk for people with disabilities

By Patrick Downes and Carol Steinberg May 29, 2020 for CommonWealth Magazine NEVER IN OUR lifetime have we witnessed a ...
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