The meeting commenced with presentations from Allison Vernerey and Pedro Cruz, who outlined initiatives to improve employment opportunities for Boston’s youth. Allison, representing the city’s Youth Employment and Opportunity office, detailed the Future Boss Employment Program, which successfully placed over 10,000 youth in summer jobs last year. The program targets those aged 14 to 24 and includes a school-year initiative to hire approximately 2,000 youth annually. Allison emphasized the program’s inclusivity, noting job opportunities tailored for individuals with disabilities. She invited participation in the upcoming Youth Jobs and Resource Fair, which aims to connect youth with employers and enhance their resume and interview skills.

Pedro Cruz introduced the Youth Line resource, designed to assist young individuals in navigating city resources. His office focuses on engaging organizations that serve the 14 to 25 age demographic. Pedro expressed a desire for collaboration with the advisory board to ensure young people with disabilities receive appropriate support. The presentations received positive feedback from board members, who highlighted the effectiveness of resources like the Future Boss website in filtering job opportunities for candidates with disabilities.

Following these discussions, attention turned to the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program and its challenges, particularly the rollout of the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system. This federally mandated system requires PCAs to clock in and out, but its implementation has faced difficulties. Concerns were raised about the program’s expansion, potentially costing up to a billion dollars in the coming years, prompting MassHealth to create a workgroup to explore cost-reduction strategies without cutting services. The meeting celebrated a policy victory with the removal of the estate recovery provision from the Common Health program, which previously reclaimed assets of deceased individuals with disabilities. This change is expected to promote workforce participation among individuals with disabilities.

The board also reviewed accessibility issues, such as a case study on a restaurant undergoing reconstruction that failed to meet accessibility standards. A constituent reported issues with the steepness of the accessible entrance and other facilities. The Commission engaged with restaurant owners to rectify these issues, resulting in a compliant new entrance on the side of the building. This case study highlighted the importance of community vigilance in reporting accessibility concerns, assuring that the Commission can assist property owners in meeting their responsibilities.

In another update, the board discussed the Boston Public Schools Special Education Department receiving a dedicated building, set to open in 2025. This development marks a positive step forward for special education services in the city.

The meeting also covered the condition of City Hall Plaza, with concerns raised about potential accessibility issues. A recent walkthrough noted some uneven surfaces and dislodged bricks, prompting calls for property management to address these problems. Furthermore, the installation of porous asphalt was praised for its environmental benefits, contrasting with traditional concrete that can cause pooling.

During public comments, a constituent emphasized the importance of the Disabilities Commission’s representation at the Age Advisory Committee meetings and raised concerns about safety hazards posed by Department of Public Works-installed ramps. The Commission confirmed their commitment to attending these meetings and addressing ramp safety issues.