Franklin Matters: Commission on Disability

Showing posts with label Commission on Disability. Show all posts

Friday, May 8, 2026

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Commission on Disability

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.

General Purpose

The primary functions of this Commission are to educate about disability, advocate for persons with disabilities, and act as a resource for those who may require disability-related services or have concerns.

Stafﬁng

● There are currently Seven (7) Volunteer Members which will increase to nine (9) Volunteer Members

○ Includes: One (1) Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Vice Chair

○ Includes: One (1) Clerk

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Hosting a Disability Expo for several years to provide the public with disability-related resources and services

● Advocating for important accessibility improvements and ADA compliance in the Town of Franklin, including the successful new Dean MBTA Station accessible platform

● Connecting numerous Franklin residents to much-needed disability-related resources

● Completing a “Disability-Related Services” public document and publishing it on the COD website to help guide residents to needed resources

● Developing an "Accessibility In Franklin” public document to help residents easily look up locations and events in town to determine how accessible they are for their own personal needs

● Attending town events such as the Senior Expo, and planning to attend town events such as the Strawberry Stroll, to spread awareness and education about disability and how the COD can help residents

● Establishing a consistent process for reporting, recording, and monitoring revenue received from handicap parking violations, in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 22G

● Creating an Accessibility Working Group to connect the COD with the Town Department Heads

● Supporting the municipal staff in achieving Title II digital compliance

● Advocating for and working with the Town Council and Town Administrator on accessibility goals within the town goals

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● This is a level-funded budget, which was just created two years ago.

The PDF of this section -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11oK2sD2HIZ5urkhVSXxES5Ei9o8telrz/view?usp=drive_link

For the full FY 2027 budget narrative - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8912/FY27-Budget-Narrative-FINAL-1

The complete set of FY 2027 budget information can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=577

Monday, April 20, 2026

Audi recording of the Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on April 2, 2026 (audio)

FM #1720 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1720 in the series.

This episode shares the Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on April 2, 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center.

The meeting recording runs just about 1 hour

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1720-commission-on-disability-mtg-04-02-26/

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The meeting agenda -

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2209

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Thursday, April 2, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, April 2, 2026 ???

Thursday, April 2

8:30am FDP General Mtg (Dean College)

3:00pm Back to Life: Youth Theater Project (SAFE Coalition)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Commission on Disability

Thursday, April 2 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2209

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, April 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2223

ZBA Meeting- NO Public Meeting

Thursday, April 2 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2213

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04022026-2228

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Exclusive audio of the Franklin Commission on Disability meeting March 5, 2026 (audio)

FM #1686 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1686 the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Commission on Disability Meeting held on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The meeting was held at the Senior Center. The meeting opened with a welcome by Chair Ali Rheaume.

Quick Recap:

Motion to approve previous meeting minutes, made, passed unanimously
Discussion on AAB Non-Compliance Letters, some sites getting repeat letters, MBTA supposedly to be compliant in May
Resource Document is live, getting feedback, led to discussion on calling the doc a “resource” or list of “services available”, renamed to “Disability-Related Services”
Discussion on “Accessibility in Franklin” - working on a doc to list public sites, and share standard accessible access points of interest Group working to divide to work and make progress
Discussion on possible increase in membership by 2, ultimately a vote to approve the request for 2 more members
Motion to adjourn, made, second and approved

The meeting runs just over 1 hour. Let’s listen to the Commission on Disability meeting held March 5, 2026.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1686-franklin-ma-commission-on-disability-mtg-03-05-26/

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The Commission on Disability agenda can be found ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052026-2163

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Franklin Commission on Disability Seeking Two New Members

The Franklin Commission on Disability (COD) is excited to expand their team and is seeking two additional Franklin residents to join their efforts of advocacy, support, and education for disability in our community. Franklin Commission on Disability is seeking two new volunteer members.

Franklin Commission on Disability Seeking Two New Members

Deadline 3/25/26

Of the two available seats:

One position will begin with a one-year term expiring in 2027.
The second position will begin with a two-year term expiring in 2028. (Both positions may transition to three-year terms upon renewal.)

Applications submitted by March 25 will be prioritized for consideration.

Residents interested in serving on the Commission can apply online at: https://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php

For assistance with the application process, contact COD Chairperson Alison Rheaume at COD.FranklinMA@gmail.com or (508) 455-5687.

The Town encourages residents who are passionate about improving accessibility and supporting individuals with disabilities in Franklin to consider applying.

Thursday, March 5, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, March 5, 2026 ???

Thursday, March 5

Regular curbside trash/recycle schedule for this week
Free overflow bags at DPW Admin building, 257 Fisher St
Hours added at Beaver St Recycling Ctr https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/reminder-regular-curbside-schedule-for.html

6:30pm Four courses. Four regions. All Italy (ticket event) (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)

7:00pm Argentine Tango Night! (La Cantina Winery)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Commission on Disabilities Meeting

Thursday, March 5 Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052026-2163

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, March 5 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03052026-2146

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

Friday, February 13, 2026

Disability-Related Resources in or around Franklin, MA

The Franklin Commission on Disability is excited to share a wonderful new resource: "Disability-Related Resources in or around Franklin, MA", now available on the Town website! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VYPlMEk8-gQ706ckntDjjvqdx-4NaFjBA4lJMbYvP8o/edit?tab=t.0

Questions?

Contact Chair Alison Rheaume: COD.FranklinMA@gmail.com/508-455-5687.