Call to Action!

[image description: this is a photo of the back door at 41 strong ave. It is a red door with a black sign with yellow letters that read: DO NOT ENTER. LIMITED ACCESS AREA. ACCESS LIMITED TO AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY]

Dear friends, this is a call to action. Mark your calendars!

On October 30th at 1pm, please join me virtually to attend the public hearing that the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board has scheduled regarding 41 Strong Avenue and our fight for access. After I filed a complaint with the AAB, they have determined that a hearing is necessary because 41 Strong may be in violation of multiple accessibility codes. Renovations that were done to the building last year did not create access to the first floor dispensary, and also cut off access to the building’s elevator, and thus eliminated access to the second and third floor establishments.

The building owner is asking for permission to make the back door available for disabled people to enter the first-floor dispensary only, and is denying responsibility to make the entire building accessible by re-establishing access to the elevator. This is not acceptable. We will not bargain and make compromises for partial access. Until disabled people and anyone whose body and mind cannot access a building via staircase are granted full access to all 3 businesses in the building again, which includes access to the elevator in order to go to Mulino’s or Bishop’s, we will not give up.

Last year, with our march and rally for the rights of all disabled people, we began work towards reimagining a more accessible Northampton (and beyond) for everyone. Our work continues, and we can’t give up now. If you would like to attend the hearing on October 30, please reach out to me and I’ll send you the link.

We can do this!

my email is: jeremyforward4@gmail.com

my instagram is: @jeremy4ward4

my Facebook is: @Jeremy.dubs.14 https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.dubs.14