- Massachusetts Office on Disability
Media Contact
Lilia Melikechi, Communications and Training Manager
Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is awarding 86 Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement grants, totaling nearly $6 million, to cities and towns across the state. 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. “By investing in improvements through these grants, we are breaking down barriers for our residents and advancing Massachusetts’s national leadership in accessibility.”
“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. “This successful grant program is just one way that we work with our cities and towns to make tangible infrastructure improvements across the state.”
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.
“This grant program makes strategic and much-needed investments in communities across Massachusetts—providing municipalities with additional resources and improving quality of life for residents,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I am pleased to see these funds deployed and I look forward to cities and towns experiencing the benefits of these projects.”
“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.
The Municipal ADA Grant Improvement Program is funded through the Commonwealth’s capital budget and managed by MOD in partnership with the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F). Since 2017, MOD has awarded over $26 million to 224 cities and towns across the Commonwealth who demonstrated a sincere dedication to implementing needed accessibility improvements. View the full list of awarded grants on MOD’s website.
For FY26, MOD received the most applications in the program’s history.
About the Massachusetts Office on Disability
The Massachusetts Office on Disability provides free information, guidance, and training on disability rights laws and architectural accessibility regulations. MOD works closely with municipalities, including municipal ADA Coordinators and Commissions on Disability, to ensure municipal compliance with the ADA.
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Media Contact
Massachusetts Office on Disability
We help people understand their disability rights and obligations, how regulations apply to the specifics of their situation, and practical steps they can take to assert their rights and comply with the law.