★★★★★
★★★★★
51 Inman Street
2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-349-4396
TTY: 617-492-0235
http://www.cambridgema.gov/DHSP2/disabilities.cfm
and
 http://www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/~HRC/index.html

cambridgedisabil-028.jpgAfter attending the State House Rally For New Revenue to Save Disability Services, my mom, Kate, Ric and I headed to the office of Cambridge Human Rights Commission. We finally arrived, after first going to the wrong city office building. We were pleased to find this old building very wheelchair friendly and accessible.

cambridgecommissiona8.jpgHandicap parking spaces are located on the side street next to the building; wheelchair access to the sidewalk is conveniently located right by the parking space. The front entrance is not wheelchair accessible for it has steps. Yet, a wheelchair accessible ramp, located on the side takes you to a side entry door which is automatic and easy to open with a simple push of a button.

cambridgedisabil-023.jpgOnce inside, we saw a sign posted which clearly list all the city offices and the floor they are on.

cambridgedisabik-024.jpgWe took the elevator to the second floor, where both the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Cambridge Human Rights Commission offices are located.

cambridgedisabil-026.jpgA Men’s and Women’s restroom located on this floor, are spacious, wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant. Even the pipes under the accessible sink are covered which is a new ADA requirement.

cambridge-025.jpgA push button automatic door leads to the hallway where these two offices are located. Access to both offices is easy for the doors are wide open.

Now as to why I was here today.

‘The Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) was established in 1979 to serve as a resource in the Cambridge community to address access, equal rights, and other issues of concern to people with disabilities.’

‘The Cambridge Human Rights Commission is a city law enforcement agency that investigates complaints of discrimination that occur in Cambridge.’

I recently filed a complaint with Michael J. Muehe, Executive Director/ADA Coordinator, Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities against Miracle of Science Bar and Grill in Cambridge and Royal Bengal Restaurant in Cambridge, two Cambridge restaurants who failed to provide ‘readily achievable’ access to me.

Carolyn Thompson, Disability Project Coordinator, Commission for Persons with Disabilities accepted my complaint. Carolyn kindly took the time to tell me all about an Amendment the city of Cambridge passed which requires public places to be made accessible if it is readily achievable!

  • “On March 3, 2008, the Cambridge City Council unanimously passed an amendment to the City’s Human Rights Ordinance, requiring places of public accommodation to remove structural barriers that impede access by people with disabilities, when it is readily achievable to do so (the “Ordinance Amendment”).[1]  Examples of such barriers include narrow entry doorways, one step entrances without ramps, checkout counters that are too high and parking lots without designated accessible parking spaces.  Pursuant to the Ordinance Amendment, “readily achievable” means easily accomplishable, and able to be done without much difficulty or expense.  A business that provides goods and services to the public is considered to be a place of public accommodation.

 

  • The Ordinance Amendment mirrors existing federal law requirements as set forth in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”).  Under the ADA, businesses that provide goods and services to the public are already required to remove structural barriers to access by people with disabilities when removal is readily achievable.  The Ordinance Amendment authorizes the Cambridge Human Rights Commission to investigate an allegation that a place of public accommodation has failed to take action to remove a readily achievable structural barrier to access.”

 

 

Wow, I thought, I wish ALL Cities and Towns would file the same Amendment! I’ve learned from my personal experience that not all cities and towns enforce ADA, as does the city of Cambridge. What a shame!

Carolyn Thompson then suggested I also file a complaint directly with the Cambridge Human Rights Commission. I emailed my complaint to Nancy Schlacter, Acting Executive Director Cambridge Human Rights Commission. Nancy Schlacter kindly responded immediately. She had Colleen Johnston, Investigative Attorney, Cambridge Human Rights Commission contact me to discuss the process for filing a formal complaint.

Colleen kindly filled out all the paper work that I needed to sign. Colleen is smart, compassionate and very kind as is Carolyn Thompson and Nancy Schlacter. I signed the complaint today and my mom, friends and I headed back home.

Michael J. Muehe has kindly kept me updated :>)

bostonrally-004.jpgKenny & co give the offices of Cambridge Human Rights Commission and Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility.

Kenny & co give the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Human Rights Commission and Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities FIVE STARS PLUS for passing the Ordinance Amendment and for helping to make the world more accessible, sensitive and respectful to all.

THANK YOU CAMBRIDGE!!!!!!