Info on handicap parking access

via Ali Rheaume

"Did you know that not everyone who parks in a handicap navigates a visible disability? In fact, it can be quite easy to judge the situation and assume that the person is parking there illegally.

In order to park in a handicap spot, someone must have a legal plate or placard and be approved by the Registry of Motor Vehicles with medical documentation from a physician that they experience one or more of the following (from Massachusetts law):

Info on handicap parking access

- cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or cannot walk without the assistance of another person, prosthetic aid, or other assistive device, as a result of a described clinical diagnosis

- has certain severity of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease

- blind to certain acuity 

- limb loss or permanently lost the use of limb(s)

Some people may have assistive devices in the vehicle that you don’t see yet.

Some people don’t have any aides and can only walk a short distance.

Some people need the space to fully open the door to get in or out without falling, instead of squeezing sideways through tight space.

Some people have adaptations or aides that you don’t see under their clothes. 

Some people may feel okay when they arrive, but by the time they leave the location they need adaptations due to experiencing fatigue, pain, or other symptoms.

Some have needs that we may never know about.

So, next time you see someone park in a handicap spot, but they don’t “look” like they navigate a disability, remember to not judge the situation. 

Video: Ali, a white female with long curly dirty blonde hair and navy blue glasses wearing a purple T-shirt and a black skirt, getting out of the car and a handicap parking spot. Text on the screen reads "if someone parks in a handicap spot, but walks out of the car,". Video switches to another adult female with a black tank top and purple shorts, taking wheel wheelchair out of the trunk while text reads "some disabilities are invisible and you don't always know the whole scenario. More in caption".

Shoutout to my mom @sueflu who goes along with my "let's record something" antics"

View the video -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOZSybtkY6y/?

Changes to Downtown Parking Effective July 1, 2023

Effective July 1st, 2023, many parking regulations will change in downtown Franklin. As part of our communication to the public, we would like to remind the community to check all parking signs and street signs throughout the summer as they may continue to change. The Town will continue to communicate throughout the summer on any additional announcements or changes as they occur. Below is a short summary. 

Downtown Parking Lot Rates

Effective July 1, 2023

Depot Street Municipal Parking Lot & Ferrara's Municipal Parking Lot ONLY

Monday - Friday

Times listed below refer to when a customer arrives and begins parking. All parking is first come, first serve and payment can be done via phone app, debit/credit card and coins on a Flowbird payment kiosk. The quarterly lottery permit is not required. Parking rates are:

5:00 AM to 12:00 PM - $3.00 flat rate all day* 

12:00 PM to 6:00 PM - $2.00 flat rate 

6:00 PM through curfew is Free!

Please note there is no overnight parking allowed. Police take notice and violators will be susceptible to a $50.00 fine, per violation. *The Administration and Town Council are working to tidy up the parking bylaw that will make the parking lots effective at 5:00 AM for the first commuter train. The final enactment of this change is expected to be in effect for the beginning of August. The Police will not give tickets to those commuters between 5:00 to 6:00 AM during the month of July or until the bylaw is changed (signage will be posted appropriately and timely).

Saturday & Sunday

All daytime and evening parking on weekends is free! Please note there is no overnight parking allowed. Police take notice and violators will be susceptible to a $50.00 fine, per violation.

 

Downtown On-Street Parking Modifications

Effective July 1, 2023

• All street parking on residential side streets within the downtown, where allowed, has been merged from two zones into one consistent zone. Monday to Friday 8-2 2HR Parking on certain residential side streets. 
• The Central Business Corridor on East Central Street (Alpine PL to the Bridge) through Downtown Main Street (the Bridge to Emmons Street) has a new zone of regulations. 
  • Monday through Saturday 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM 2 HR parking maximum. 
  • No overnight parking seven days a week from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM. 
• Some traffic violations have increased, notably a No Overnight Parking violation is $50.00. A new list of violations and tickets are Appendix A of the Franklin Town Code.

Additional Information

• Download the Flowbird Kiosk App for your phone. Kiosks have been installed at the Depot Street and Ferrara's Municipal Parking Lot to accept parking payment. The kiosks accept coin and card, mobile card processing is also available via the Flowbird Kiosk App.
• For online ticketing, please visit the Town's website. If you wish to appeal a ticket, please contact the Treasurer-Collector at 508-520-4950. 
• The Town is working toward developing materials to promote the new downtown parking availability and will be distributed after Labor Day. A portal has been created on the Franklin Police Department website. 
• There will be parking regulations in effect in the Davis-Thayer lot and the Library Parking lots. No overnight parking is allowed in either lot.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/changes-downtown-parking-effective-july-1st-2023

Changes to Downtown Parking Effective July 1, 2023

Downtown parking changes proposed for Discussion at Town Council meeting Oct 5, 2022

Parking, downtown parking. A problem, or not? 

Parking changes are on the agenda for the Town Council on Wednesday. These came up through the Economic Development Subcommittee with a 3-1 vote to recommend to the Council.

There are 4 separate but integrated bylaws to cover the changes proposed. 

The first reading is Wednesday. The bylaws can be voted to move as is, or with modification(s) to a second reading. The second reading would come at a future Council meeting. Implementation would take some months of preparation before they would actually be in effect (assuming they are approved).

• b. Bylaw Amendment 22-884: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Article IV, Stopping, Standing and Parking, §170-15 Parking Prohibitions and Limitations, D. Parking Prohibited, Downtown Parking Map - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-884 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._web_22-884_parking_map.pdf
• c. Bylaw Amendment 22-885: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, §170-20, Additional regulations; violations and penalties. - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-885 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._-_bylaw_amendment_22-885_amendment_chapter_170_ta_auth_to_set_fees.pdf
• d. Bylaw Amendment 22-886: Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service, § 82-6, Subsection K. Police - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-886 to a Second Reading - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._-_bylaw_amendment_22-886_amendment_chapter_82_municipal_service_fees_striking_quarterly_fees.pdf
• e. Bylaw Amendment 22-879: Chapter 170, Vehicles and Traffic, Appendix A, Fines, Parking Violations - First Reading (Motion to Take off the Table and Move Bylaw Amendment 22-879 to Second Reading - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/bylaw_amendment_-_parking_fees.pdf

Or use this one PDF to find all four zoning bylaws together

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10e2BurrUb9KUv0gmga1BjvI91wHQ2EMi/view?usp=sharing

Note: The Dean College neighborhood parking issues are not on this agenda. With the new administration at Dean, the idea is to let them form their talked of/proposed neighborhood group to start and work to address the issue.

The full agenda includes remote connection to the meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10.05.22_town_council_agenda.pdf

Downtown parking changes proposed for Discussion at Town Council meeting Oct 5, 2022

Economic Development Committee - Sep 21 - video replay available

The Economic Development Subcommittee meeting met on Wednesday, Sep 21. The video recording is available for replay here.

Agenda:

1. Discussion: “Franklin For All” MAPC Study Conclusion & Committee Recommendations

a. Staff Memo Implementation Timeline

b. Franklin For All Executive Summary and Final Report -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_for_all_executive_summary_summary_memos.pdf

c. Franklin - DHCD Approved Housing Production Plan -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_final_with_approval_ltr.pdf

2. Downtown Parking Lot Proposal

a. Downtown Parking Lot Town Administrator Memo

b. Downtown Parking District Maps Current vs. Proposed

c. Traffic Fines Bylaw materials

d. Downtown Parking Bylaw Parking Rates Proposal

Agenda doc and remote information -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-21-22_edc_agenda.pdf

YouTube link ->  https://youtu.be/0juF7Nd2ngk

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter can be found in one PDF doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V880A9wPIyLuq-GjD9f6AJ0mYbGIzwrs/view?usp=sharing

 

Bryan Taberner addressing the EDC

“People with disabilities continue to face barriers to voting"

Picked up on a Twitter thread about voting issues disabled folks on Tuesday. Yes, since it was election day, and voting was in progress, the thread was timely.

• Hi, I’m a disabled voter in Massachusetts - my disability is multifaceted, but one physical presentation is loss of fine motor skill, or the ability to write. I get by in the world thanks to technology. Here are obstacles I and other disabled voters face in Massachusetts
• I’m a busy parent, and I didn’t fill out the application for an absentee ballot by October 13th this year Obstacle 1 - disabled people must be vigilant about dates that are sometimes hard to find in fine print on websites
• Obstacle 2 - disabled people must fill out a form (which can be done electronically, with one exception - more on that in a sec), And get it back to the their local election office on time JUST to receive a ballot.
• Obstacle 3 - that signature. Even though most cities and towns allow for electronic submission and typed answers into the form, MA requires that everyone must provide a  “wet” signature (lol ew ). For me, this is the real obstacle.
• Alt text for above image: Picture of a text heavy form with the following highlighted: sign your application with a “wet” signature. Application signed with a mouse, stylus, or finger are also acceptable; typed signatures are not.
• My signature today is legible, however it is wildly different than it looked 18 months ago. The loss of my writing is something I’ve had to grieve, and the state of MA tells me: “Typed Signatures are not acceptable,” right there on the website! Not. Acceptable.
• Obstacle 4 - We, the disabled voters of MA, must then fill out our paper ballots, sign them, get them into envelopes (no easy task), and send back in time for them to be counted. We are expressly prohibited from returning a ballot to our polling place on Election Day.
• Text for this image: another text heavy document with the following highlighted: Once you receive your ballot, please return as soon as possible to ensure that it arrives in time to be counted. Ballots CANNOT be returned to the polling location on Election Day.
• OK so there are the big four obstacles outlined by the state - for me, it’s something I can overcome; I will go to the polls, and I’ll cast a ballot.  I am extremely lucky, and one more MS relapse could take these options away from me.
• But I did some more research, and it looks like The city of Boston has amazing accessibility tools!  https://www.boston.gov/news/accessible-voting-announced-ahead-november-2-municipal-election 
• Everything can be completed online, even down to the vote itself, including that pesky signature! In Boston the language is changed to, voters may sign electronically. I was so thrilled to see this happening in Boston!
• But something was confusing on the website. Why are these accessibility tools only Valid through 2025? And then it hit me. The city of Boston provides excellent accessibility for voting because it was sued by several disability rights groups for violating article 2 of the ADA.
• None of these wonderful tools were given to disabled voters; disabled voters fought, and won, the right to vote without the significant obstacles I outlined above.
• So, we have a lot of work to do Massachusetts. When you head to the polls today, try to notice how many obstacles you encounter along the way. And when you get home, check out the amazing work of @BostonCIL and @ACBofMA and @DLCMA, Who fought and won.   
• Sorry adding the place where you can find all the legal info about voting in Boston. Photo is of text heavy legal document that is also available on the link attached. thank you for reading!  https://www.dlc-ma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BAV-Settlement-Agreement-9.8.2021-fully-executed.pdf 

Coincidentally, I found in my inbox on Tuesday that NIST is looking for input and comment to address this disability issue nationally: "NIST Draft Publication Addresses Removing Barriers for Voters With Disabilities" https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2021/10/nist-draft-publication-addresses-removing-barriers-voters-disabilities

Direct link to draft out for comment -> https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.1273-draft.pdf 

The chapter headings for the draft are shown as follows:

2. SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VOTING ACCESSIBILITY

3. VOTER REGISTRATION AND THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION FORM

4. VOTING BY MAIL

5. VOTER TECHNOLOGY

6. POLLING LOCATIONS

7. POLL WORKER TRAINING

I heartily encourage reading and submitting comments as appropriate. Together the process needs to work for all of us.

NIST notification -> https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2021/10/nist-draft-publication-addresses-removing-barriers-voters-disabilities

Full twitter thread can be found here (I copied the text and links but not the emoticons...)  https://twitter.com/Moms4Markey/status/1455612963327459329

“People with disabilities continue to face barriers to voting"

Harvest Festival - Handicap parking available at Dean Bank (Dean Ave)

Handicap parking during the Oct. 2 Harvest Festival will be available in the Dean Bank parking lot behind the bank from noon to 5 PM

Note: With Main St closed for the Festival, you would need to approach Dean Bank via Dean Ave

Shared from Facebook:   https://facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/photos/a.256790157835460/1859602564220870/?type=3

Harvest Festival - Handicap parking available at Dean Bank (Dean Ave)

"Many other barriers also have yet to be broken"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"There are about 56,000 people living in Massachusetts nursing homes, but about 10,000 to 20,000 of them could be living in their own homes. 

That’s according to Paul Spooner, director of the MetroWest Center for Independent Living, who said finding a place to live at home with care - and affording it - remains a problem for people with disabilities 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990. 

The act doesn’t guarantee private housing, but nine years after it was passed, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Olmstead v. L.C. decision because of it. 

The decision was made on June 22, 1999, and ruled that the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination because it violates the ADA, and that individuals have a right to live in their community when appropriate instead of in an institution. But how people with disabilities can afford to live on their own outside living with others - like in institutions and nursing homes - remains a question."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200726/looking-at-americans-with-disabilities-act-30-years-later--and-during-global-pandemic?rssfeed=true

handicap parking was added to the Town Common (High st shown) and Unions St just last year

Frank Falvey was the one who asked the question and ended up getting handicap parking at the Town Common. We recorded a radio show (podcast)episode) to capture the event and how it developed.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/fm-197-frank-falvey-handicap-access-on.html

"Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can join in"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest to Franklin.

"City and town halls across the state are largely silent this spring as efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus have forced public meetings online — leaving elected officials working to keep local government moving in the midst of a pandemic.

Until a few weeks ago, Kenneth Tavares — chairman of Plymouth’s Select Board and a 50-year veteran of town politics — never would have imagined holding video conference calls to conduct public business. Now, he feels differently.

"I think I'm a fan of it," Tavares said. "Thirty days ago, I don't think I would have said that to you."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/23/metro/midst-pandemic-public-meetings-continue-online/

In this pandemic time, the Town of Franklin is not alone in moving to virtual meetings. While the Governor's Executive Order has allowed for these, and they do work, although they would seem to take longer, that is a small price to pay. Questions remain to be resolved to make this a standard practice. 

In the BCE (before coronavirus era), an open meeting basically meant, the location of the meeting was physically open for anyone to walk in, even if handicapped. In this digital arena, internet access seems to be the default. 

However, how do other forms of handicap get addressed? Assuming internet is broadly available (a big assumption), how does the online platform enable someone with a hearing disability participate? The Governor's press updates have an individual signing American Sign Language (ASL). That provides the information outward. How would a hearing impaired person, ask a question or provide feedback on a topic?

What does accessible meant for an open meeting in this digital/virtual world?
 

one of three screens of users for the Town Council meeting Weds (over 60 at peak)

FM #197 - Frank Falvey - Handicap access on the Town Common

FM #197

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 197 in the series, that we are now developing in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Frank Falvey, creator of two music programs for Franklin TV / Franklin Radio sat with me recently at the Franklin studio.

Frank initiated the creation of the two new handicap parking spots at the Town Common. We sat to discuss how this came to be. Our conversation then stayed within the handicap and access realm to cover parking passes and the accessibility issues at the downtown Franklin/Dean MBTA station.

Listen to our conversation, approximately 35 minutes


https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyVQ5HLX




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Links and answers to some of the questions or topics raised during our conversation:

- MA disability placard info can be found online at the MA.gov page https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-your-temporary-disability-placard
note: permanent cards are auto renewed, temporary are not

- American Disabilities Act (ADA) was first published in 1990 and updated recently https://www.ada.gov/2010_regs.htm

- The MBTA meeting was held in December 2019. The meeting was held Tuesday, Dec 17 - I was recording the FinComm meeting that night and missed it. Jeff Roy shared the presentation doc which I then posted to the FM web page later that week
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/12/franklin-line-meeting-powerpoint.html

- GATRA - Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Authority http://www.gatra.org/ (you can get there from the "Explore Franklin" link on the Town of Franklin home page)


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How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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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One of the new handicapped parking spots on the Town Common, this one at the corner of High St and Main St