FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/15/2025
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
City of Framingham Awarded $250,000 ADA Improvement Grant to Advance Accessibility Efforts
FRAMINGHAM - The City of Framingham has been awarded a $250,000 Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement Grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration through the Massachusetts Office of Disability.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced this week it had awarded 86 Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement grants, totaling nearly $6 million, to cities and towns across the Commonwealth.
This competitive grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD), helps municipalities complete projects that improve access to public programs, services, and spaces for people with disabilities. Eligible projects include ADA Self-Evaluations, Transition Plans, and capital improvements.
“In Massachusetts, everyone, regardless of ability, should be able to utilize vital public programs and services and enjoy world-class public spaces like our beaches and parks,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“Our Administration is committed to partnering with municipal leaders to make Massachusetts communities safer, more accessible, and even more welcoming,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
Projects funded through this year’s grant include updates to municipal emergency preparedness plans and emergency equipment to ensure the safety of people with disabilities; accessible playground equipment to allow children with disabilities to play alongside their peers; assistive technology for public school students; architectural improvements to town senior centers to ensure safety and access for older adults; and accessible signage, equipment, and sensory activities at public trails and beaches.
The City of Framingham $250,000 grant will support the hiring of a contractor to research and develop a new comprehensive ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, ensuring that all publicly accessible municipal and public school buildings in Framingham meet ADA compliance standards.
With nearly two decades since the City’s last update to its ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, this initiative marks a critical step toward ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all residents.
“The City of Framingham is deeply committed to ensuring that every resident and visitor can access and enjoy our public spaces,” said Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. “This grant allows us to take a major step forward in updating our ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, reflecting the progress we’ve made and identifying the work still needed to achieve full accessibility across all city and school buildings. Accessibility is not just a legal requirement, it’s a reflection of our values as a community.”
“It will identify and remove barriers making equal access for people with disabilities,” said the City of Framingham ADA Coordinator David Correia. “This shows the City’s commitment to make everything accessible and inclusive.”
“We at the City of Framingham are thrilled to be able to move forward with this new ADA Transition Plan, and we are grateful for the support of our partners at MOD and the Commonwealth as we embark on this important project,” said City of Framingham Grants Manager Meghan Todd.
In 2020, Framingham completed an ADA Transition Plan for Open Space and Recreation, a key milestone in advancing accessibility goals. The new comprehensive plan will build upon that foundation, encompassing all municipally owned and school buildings.
In preparation for this grant, the City consulted with representatives from other municipalities and gathered estimates from qualified consulting firms experienced in ADA compliance evaluations.
“Municipalities provide critical services for our residents. These services must be accessible to effectively serve everyone. The growth of interest in this grant program reflects the commitment of our cities and towns to accessibility, and we are proud to support local communities with their efforts through these funds,” said Massachusetts Office on Disability Executive Director Allan Motenko.
According to the 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 9.1% of Framingham’s civilian noninstitutionalized population identifies as having a disability—underscoring the importance of this initiative in meeting the needs of the community.
The City of Framingham remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment where accessibility is prioritized in every aspect of municipal planning and development.
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