SAFER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE SIDEWALKS

No one in a wheelchair or with mobility issues should have to go into the road to navigate the city because our sidewalks are inaccessible. We need to ensure we are maintaining our sidewalks so they aren’t tripping hazards or inaccessible to wheelchairs. Our sidewalks in all parts of the city are not wide enough for wheelchairs and other mobility aids can make it through. We need to ensure curb cuts are maintained and in place in required positions to make sure intersections and crosswalks are accessible to every resident.

ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSIT

Somerville has multiple new T stations around the city since the expansion of the Green Line, like the Magoun and Ball Square T stops here in Ward 5. As many people are aware, transportation is a Disability justice issue. As City Councilor, I would work with community members, the Riders Transportation Access Group (RTAG), my colleagues, and the MBTA to ensure our stations are meeting and exceeding accessibility standards. Along the new bus routes, I would have each checked to make sure these new stops are accessible, by ensuring the sidewalks are in good repair, to ensure any disabled person who would like to use our buses can do so.

ACCESSIBLE VOTING

Almost 1 in 4 people in the US have a disability. It’s every citizen’s right to be able to participate in elections and have their voices heard. As a city councilor, I would ensure all polling places here in the city have a comprehensive accessibility check before elections to ensure every Somervillian’s voice is counted. I would also work with the city to help educate people on mail-in voting, and ensure their are ASL interpreters/interpreting services located at the polls so our Deaf and Hard of Hearing can have any questions, comments, or concerns addressed on site. I would also set up a voting accessibility hotline that can be called into if you are having issues with voting access here in the city so it can be promptly addressed.

MENTAL HEALTH

: One of the most common types of disabilities is mental health and psychiatric disabilities. I believe that this is as much as a local government issue as it is a nationwide issue. As city councilor, I will advocate for the opening of a Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) in our city, adding to the 26 already located across Massachusetts. CBHCs basically serve as an urgent care for mental health, regardless of them having insurance or not. This would provide 24/7 crisis intervention care, a mobile crisis center, less restrictive alternative to inpatient care giving more independence to those in crisis, and outpatient services for our community members. Also, reinforcing and increasing funding in our schools with our social emotional learning programs and mental health programs/supports for our student.