Meetings

View the Commission on Disabilities Calendar

Meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of the month starting at 10:00 AM on Zoom. When we meet in person our meetings are "scent-free" out of consideration for others present. Please do not wear heavy amounts of perfume or cologne, or strongly scented hair and deodorant products.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available before each meeting.

View Agendas

Minutes are available following approval.

View Minutes

Members

View the Committee Membership List

Overview

The Commission on Disability's (COD) mission is to make Acton a better place to live by:

• Advocating for the rights and interests of citizens with disabilities and their families
• Ensuring that Acton meets the laws, regulations, and guidelines set down by federal, state, and regional bodies pertaining to the rights of citizens with disabilities
• Acting as a resource for education around the needs of people with disabilities and their families
• Striving to build a solid community of people with disabilities to increase our visibility and lobbying power, and to decrease the sense of isolation that comes from living in a suburban area

Resources

• ICE Information
• LGBTQ+ Resources
• Ongoing COD Projects
• Completed COD Projects
• COD Library
• Disabilityinfo.org - This site - known as the "Index" will direct you to information on providers and services available to persons with disabilities, and is updated regularly.
• Mass 211 is a state referral phone number open 24/7 that can direct you to Mental Health resources in your area. To access it, just dial 211, and you will be connected to a call taker who will list all the programs and services in your area.
• Peer Support Line - 877-733-7563 - A friendly phone line staffed by peers, for peers. Peer Support Line operators are people like you and me, people who have experienced mental illness. These peer operators are trained listeners who are interested in hearing from you.
• Namimass.org -  The National Alliance on Mental Illness has peer support groups in Acton, Concord, Bedford and Lexington.
• Oftentimes when we hear the word “disabilities” we think of physical disabilities we can see, such as using a wheelchair. While these forms of disabilities are important to be aware of, many people also struggle with disabilities we cannot immediately see. Invisible disabilities, or non-apparent disabilities, affect many people from learning disabilities such as dyslexia or deafness. ‘Disability’ usually refers to any impairment that limits life activity. Because it is not always possible to tell if someone has a disability just by appearance, it is important to always be mindful and listen to others. For more information, check out some of these resources:
  • https://wid.org/non-apparent-disabilities-when-your-disability-is-not-visible/
  • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
  • https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/
  • https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32276
• Check out the Paul Center in Chelmsford or the Minuteman Arc in Concord!
  • Paul Center; Programs
  • Minuteman Arc; Programs