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PRESS RELEASES
WAKEFIELD COMMISSION ON DISABILITY ISSUES PRESS RELEASE JUNE 2009
The Wakefield Commission on Disability Issues (CDI) has been meeting for the last several months,
diligently working for the benefit of the disabled community. The poor economy, resulting in severe State
budget shortfalls, has reduced the aid previously given to disabled citizens. As an example, Governor
Patrick’s latest budget reduction, still being debated, could result in several thousand people losing
transportation, day/employment, and family support/respite programs. It is also predicted that forty-four
disabled families will lose their homes, and over 600 people will lose Turning 22 services (which helps
disabled children transition from high school to adult life). Several state agencies have had their budgets
reduced, resulting in less care for emotionally and physically challenged citizens that are seeking
employment, health care, and quality of life needs. Dental services are also being eliminated. A recent
editorial in the Boston Globe elaborated on the budget cuts. It discussed how difficult it is for the disabled to
get proper health care when they have four times the risk of developing diabetes, and twenty percent higher
risk of obesity. Budget reductions affecting the disabled have become more severe than the general
population.
We are continuing to find ways for the disabled to get more access and exposure within the community. We
recently heard presentations from Mass Mentor, who are looking for mentors in Wakefield, to take in
students and adults with emotional and physical problems. There are two participants currently in
Wakefield. Their info will be on our web site www.wakefieldcdi.com. We heard a presentation from A State
of Order, who specializes in time and space management. A presentation was given by the FOLQ and
Colonel Connelly Park Committee who detailed Phase Two Plans of the park. They fielded several
questions form our members regarding wheelchair and walker access in the new children’s area playground.
Did you know there is an Alzheimer’s Caregivers Group in Wakefield? They meet the 2nd and 4th
Wednesday of each month at the Beebe Library. Check all info on our web site under “Did you Know?”
section. Did you also know that our site has been recognized as one of the best? Many agencies and other
Town CDI’s have asked permission to use our site as a link to their web sites.
Many businesses, aware of access problems, have been supportive of the disabled community. We
previously mentioned the work done by CVS, Gingerbread House, and Brother’s Deli to provide access and
parking. We are aware of Edgewater Executive Park’s management companies who are in the process of
converting their heavy doors from manual to electric. Outer and inner doors are being converted to help
access. The CDI and community appreciate their effort. We asked the Post Office to put in an electric door
but they have refused,
Speaking of effort, we have been working with Staples, in Reading. A lengthy list of office and school
supplies that are needed by the disabled are at the store in Reading. Sales staff will have the list and can
direct the customers to the products. The managers at Staples are commended for their efforts to
coordinate this project.
Wakefield Tire has also volunteered to pick up and/or drop off vehicles for disabled customers, at no charge.
Best Friends is a pet care facility located at 15 Main Street, Wakefield, MA. Although not fully handicapped
accessible, you can contact Agni Sarmaniote (781-245-1237) in advance, and arrangements can be made.
As we work with other businesses, we will advise.
We are in the process of loading all handicapped parking spaces on to our website, and coordinate it with
the Wakefield Department of Public Works System, as well. Speaking of spaces, we are working with the
Board of Selectman and the DPW on residential handicapped spaces. Chairman Marc Luca stated,”
Several residents had asked and were given handicapped spaces in front of their homes, for various
reasons. We are working with the Board of Selectmen to review all spaces to insure they are still needed.
People move, recover, or have no need for the spaces over time. It is our purpose to review the spaces
every two years. If not needed, they will be repainted as a normal space. Please let us know of your
continued need. If we are not contacted, the space can be removed.”
The CDI has been working with the Traffic Advisory Committee to solve a serious safety issue on Franklin
Street. We are proposing additional crosswalks and sidewalk with new curb cuts in the Birch Hill and Stark
Ave Areas. Several disabled residents and high school students cannot safely cross Franklin Street, not
only in fair weather, but also in snow conditions. Hopefully, we have helped solve a safety and access
problem.
We are working with the Little League and Wakefield Basketball Association to help fund some of their
Challenger Division activities.
We are also watching legislative activities to understand the impact of their votes on the entire community.
One bill (H 164) would force vendors who have State contracts or grants to hire more disabled personnel.
This bill would help set a standard towards hiring capable workers with disabilities. We also had a
reorganization vote, and Marc Luca will again be Chairman, Phyllis Pearl-Baxter is Secretary, and Warren
Magoon will continue as Treasurer.
Our next meeting will be September 14, 2009 at 7 PM at Town Hall’s Second Floor Conference Room. The
public is always invited.
The Wakefield Commission on Disability Issues (CDI) has been meeting for the last several months,
diligently working for the benefit of the disabled community. The poor economy, resulting in severe State
budget shortfalls, has reduced the aid previously given to disabled citizens. As an example, Governor
Patrick’s latest budget reduction, still being debated, could result in several thousand people losing
transportation, day/employment, and family support/respite programs. It is also predicted that forty-four
disabled families will lose their homes, and over 600 people will lose Turning 22 services (which helps
disabled children transition from high school to adult life). Several state agencies have had their budgets
reduced, resulting in less care for emotionally and physically challenged citizens that are seeking
employment, health care, and quality of life needs. Dental services are also being eliminated. A recent
editorial in the Boston Globe elaborated on the budget cuts. It discussed how difficult it is for the disabled to
get proper health care when they have four times the risk of developing diabetes, and twenty percent higher
risk of obesity. Budget reductions affecting the disabled have become more severe than the general
population.
We are continuing to find ways for the disabled to get more access and exposure within the community. We
recently heard presentations from Mass Mentor, who are looking for mentors in Wakefield, to take in
students and adults with emotional and physical problems. There are two participants currently in
Wakefield. Their info will be on our web site www.wakefieldcdi.com. We heard a presentation from A State
of Order, who specializes in time and space management. A presentation was given by the FOLQ and
Colonel Connelly Park Committee who detailed Phase Two Plans of the park. They fielded several
questions form our members regarding wheelchair and walker access in the new children’s area playground.
Did you know there is an Alzheimer’s Caregivers Group in Wakefield? They meet the 2nd and 4th
Wednesday of each month at the Beebe Library. Check all info on our web site under “Did you Know?”
section. Did you also know that our site has been recognized as one of the best? Many agencies and other
Town CDI’s have asked permission to use our site as a link to their web sites.
Many businesses, aware of access problems, have been supportive of the disabled community. We
previously mentioned the work done by CVS, Gingerbread House, and Brother’s Deli to provide access and
parking. We are aware of Edgewater Executive Park’s management companies who are in the process of
converting their heavy doors from manual to electric. Outer and inner doors are being converted to help
access. The CDI and community appreciate their effort. We asked the Post Office to put in an electric door
but they have refused,
Speaking of effort, we have been working with Staples, in Reading. A lengthy list of office and school
supplies that are needed by the disabled are at the store in Reading. Sales staff will have the list and can
direct the customers to the products. The managers at Staples are commended for their efforts to
coordinate this project.
Wakefield Tire has also volunteered to pick up and/or drop off vehicles for disabled customers, at no charge.
Best Friends is a pet care facility located at 15 Main Street, Wakefield, MA. Although not fully handicapped
accessible, you can contact Agni Sarmaniote (781-245-1237) in advance, and arrangements can be made.
As we work with other businesses, we will advise.
We are in the process of loading all handicapped parking spaces on to our website, and coordinate it with
the Wakefield Department of Public Works System, as well. Speaking of spaces, we are working with the
Board of Selectman and the DPW on residential handicapped spaces. Chairman Marc Luca stated,”
Several residents had asked and were given handicapped spaces in front of their homes, for various
reasons. We are working with the Board of Selectmen to review all spaces to insure they are still needed.
People move, recover, or have no need for the spaces over time. It is our purpose to review the spaces
every two years. If not needed, they will be repainted as a normal space. Please let us know of your
continued need. If we are not contacted, the space can be removed.”
The CDI has been working with the Traffic Advisory Committee to solve a serious safety issue on Franklin
Street. We are proposing additional crosswalks and sidewalk with new curb cuts in the Birch Hill and Stark
Ave Areas. Several disabled residents and high school students cannot safely cross Franklin Street, not
only in fair weather, but also in snow conditions. Hopefully, we have helped solve a safety and access
problem.
We are working with the Little League and Wakefield Basketball Association to help fund some of their
Challenger Division activities.
We are also watching legislative activities to understand the impact of their votes on the entire community.
One bill (H 164) would force vendors who have State contracts or grants to hire more disabled personnel.
This bill would help set a standard towards hiring capable workers with disabilities. We also had a
reorganization vote, and Marc Luca will again be Chairman, Phyllis Pearl-Baxter is Secretary, and Warren
Magoon will continue as Treasurer.
Our next meeting will be September 14, 2009 at 7 PM at Town Hall’s Second Floor Conference Room. The
public is always invited.