A Day at the Beach: All-Abilities Beach Day August 17

By Barbara Taormina

REVERE – The Commission on Disabilities is putting the final touches on an All-Abilities Beach Day, a free event scheduled for August 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Revere Beach. There will be music and beach accessible mats and wheelchairs provided by the MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.

“We want to get people with disabilities on the sand and in the water with accessible wheelchairs,” said Ralph DeCicco, Chairman of the Commission who will be spreading the word about this event throughout the city.

Commission members also look forward to hearing from a special guest from a program in Everett for Alzheimer patients. According to one Commission member, the program has a strong emphasis on community and social interaction and will be a good resource for Revere families and residents struggling with Alzheimers.

Commissioners also took some time to discuss accessibility and a new state law that would allow homeowners to add a 900 square foot handicapped-accessible residential unit to their property by right. Commissioners feel this would be a huge benefit to disabled people wanting to live at home.

Members also discussed the problems with creating accessibility in historical buildings and older structures. They are unable to get to the top floor of the library. Commission has a transitions plan that maps out all the places and items in Revere that need upgrades to comply with requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DeCicco reminded fellow Commissioners that they take the month of July off and the next Commission meeting will not be until August.