The Committee on Disabilites (COD), created by City ordinance, is composed of 9 voting members and up to 5 members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. The City's ADA (American with Disabilities Act) Coordinator is the staff assistant to the COD. The Coordinator may be reached at the Council on Aging.
We meet once a month to investigate the needs of people with disabilities in our community and to advocate for their full integration into the life of the city.
Current members of the committee are:
Michael Morton
Victoria Regish
Cynthia Schubach
Linda LaCour Kakos
Susan McCreary
Joe Serrano
Barbara Black
Michael Nagy
Claudia Moore-O'Brien
Staff Contact:
Patricia Shaughnessy, Director
Council on Aging
Memorial Hall
240 Main Street, Room 1
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1228
413 587-1225 (TTY)
413-587-1233 (fax)
email: pshaughnessy@northamptonma.gov
The Committee is responsible for studying the needs of people with disabilities in the community and advocating for their integration in all phases of community life. The COD strives to increase public awareness of issues of accessibility and assists public and private agencies in complying with applicable federal and state regulations. The COD promotes respect for the rights and quality of life of individuals with disabilities.
The COD administers matching grants to City businesses who are improving accessibility, and prepared an ADA guide for Northampton.
Meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:00 P.M. in the Council on Aging conference room. It is open to the public.
Please contact the ADA Coordinator for information on local resources like: transportation, housing, Independent Living Center, special programs and services, legal assistant, parking and special permits.