[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6318274,"mediaKeyId","2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b","parentId",2367693,"title","Needham commission reports outreach to downtown businesses, pilots portable ramps and launches autism-friendly training","audioSeconds",1365,"startMs",1465000,"endMs",2830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b&start=1465&end=2830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b/thumbnail_1465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318274/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-commission-reports-outreach-to-downtown-businesses-pilots-portable-ramps-and-launches-autism-friendly-training","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318274-099565d0818c8733d4eaed98f9d7e862/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=M~q7fcEfDiQX6p6Ko8igXkFO1Ga72lWjMmMyM2JryYs4Olo2Uj4Llq7J1zTT8NfSIlnIgFW-78lJV4~TYMvBjDhWJYsb-2oN1rbIWctG8QgZ3nJwc3jLA56VWHaHz1a~XsFL~oZql4GX18Mcw-643C8U9rWa19XDagplsh5HOm0T9HwUZWaMeSO0fvkn~HK7mDW8USuZ96FJS1u4lECkvjyJYBx5FXjfQdTyiVwshk3EOAkyAQFqXnKGdFJ1GjynGpzedEYSgYAoKpJRzcN56ZTubnZEq-DKWaaPdzzWMGU1oGsJWMvtBwWj0bRgsMMI-JqjvIEy9LlpuSSvZSGkTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","article","During its Feb. 18 meeting the Needham Commission on Disabilities reported multiple ongoing outreach and program initiatives: letters requesting voluntary accessibility engagement were mailed to a set of downtown businesses; the commission has purchased two portable ramps and plans a pilot loan program; and the commission’s autism-welcoming business training will begin with Valente Farms.

Commission members said the accessibility letters were sent in early February to the business and building owners on a list provided by Karen (the list included Shop Mickey, Pura Vida, Tim Rabbit, Needham Upholstery, Needham Bowlway, Gliscman Orthodontics and Jean Hirsch). Staff said the letters were written on commission letterhead and delivered to both occupants and property owners; commissioners agreed to treat this initial distribution as a pilot and to wait for responses before expanding the outreach list.

On assistive equipment, commissioners said two portable ramps have arrived and are being held in town storage near the medical equipment closet. The commission plans to pilot the ramps with users before they are widely promoted; one ramp is a shorter unit intended for two-step access and weighs roughly 25–30 pounds, the longer ramp is heavier (about 50 pounds) and is intended for larger step changes. Commissioners discussed short-term loan limits (suggested limits: a few days) so the two ramps can serve multiple requests. Commissioners said the ramps cost less than $500 each and that the commission will share vendor information with businesses or residents interested in purchasing their own units.

On training and publicity, staff said Valente Farms has agreed to be the first business to host the commission’s autism-welcoming employee training; the training session was described as scheduled for Feb. 25. Commission staff said they plan to collect feedback from Valente Farms to bolster outreach to other businesses and to share a possible human-interest story with the local Observer. Commissioners also discussed the disability film series and agreed the commission can help publicize screenings through social channels and by supplying an informational slide for pre-screening materials.

Commission members also reviewed a draft nomination survey for a proposed business award (the survey was shared with commissioners after the Jan. meeting). Members asked Karen to prepare a one-page program overview and nomination rules for review at the March meeting before the commission opens nominations.

Finally, Pardee reported on a planned April 3 senior-center program (no formal commission appropriation vote recorded at the Feb. 18 meeting). Pardee said the senior-center event is scheduled for April 3 from noon to 2 p.m., and proposed using $500 from the commission’s budget to cover refreshments and a speaker; commissioners noted the commission’s current-year budget balance of about $550 and discussed promotional steps with the senior center.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Commission on Disabilities 02/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commission staff said letters about entry accessibility were mailed to a downtown business list, two portable ramps are being piloted for loan, and Valente Farms will host the first autism-welcoming employee training; the commission also discussed a film series and an award survey.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318278,"Needham commission to partner with Congregational Church on sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat",854,486000,1340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b&start=486&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b/thumbnail_486000.jpg","/articles/6318278/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-commission-to-partner-with-Congregational-Church-on-sensory-friendly-trunk-or-treat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318278-8c4d771dd3fec5f8fcc0a0bb429f5e56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=kM4uq2AZQZbqcTwtfgvHbReXiO-H7e0Adk6oEnkWjk7C4Rsl~Gj93aydj8VnU7uWl~TRdK4IMIj4Stws611xVxNyjddLxvUtPOzHz7RK6l46OWf~yNTZnMP-6kMFSgDLDj0pR0bjcIxNRniemGO2pNrxcBw-YK8koY0-BBwhMngUqXXv6nkcEBkJrP-9274ytQ7Jb7-Snzm1G26J4fKGHnujoPCHdcG0XInGSM2gZWy9vDgYQlNVbW9iUx3Rskzicn8qkpoEUvBdBgk4qd-8mOJihvutRIhpJKsNt5q4UFDv5VwimFmG69--orqoKwcnpjFOfDffvebciQG4QY-CTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Commission on Disabilities is coordinating with the Congregational Church to establish a sensory-friendly first hour at the church’s annual trunk-or-treat, commission members said during the Feb. 18 meeting.

Commission members reported that the church has run a large community trunk-or-treat event for several years and is enthusiastic about partnering to add a quiet, sensory-friendly hour before the public portion of the event. Commission members said the church’s sensory-friendly hour is intended to reduce noise and other sensory triggers for children who benefit from a calmer environment.

Discussion at the meeting focused on logistics the commission will need to confirm with church organizers and parents, including whether to hold the special hour immediately before the public event or to extend it, how a rain date would be handled (the church typically plans a rain date, usually the following Saturday), and whether to involve local first responders to hand out candy without sirens or bells. Commissioners estimated past church trunk-or-treat attendance at roughly 200 children, noted the church parking lot has an estimated 70–75 spaces with additional on-street parking on Great Plain Avenue and Linden Avenue, and raised concerns that an October date could conflict with other town events such as the high school craft fair.

Commission members said they plan to focus initial planning on the sensory-friendly hour and to follow up with church organizers and the parents who requested the inclusive option. The commission will confirm a date and rain-date arrangement with the church and check for competing town events before publicizing details.","The commission is planning a sensory-friendly first hour at a trunk-or-treat organized by the Congregational Church; commissioners discussed logistics, rain date, parking and potential conflicts with other town events on the weekend of Oct. 25.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318282,"Needham Commission on Disabilities approves January minutes in roll call vote",216,209000,425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b&start=209&end=425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2367693-6c0b050dccbef6deba56093f2135411b/thumbnail_209000.jpg","/articles/6318282/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Commission-on-Disabilities-approves-January-minutes-in-roll-call-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318282-d46e9bde3508f0c54b7b7d5583114779/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=ZNmgw5OcHQ2K7VJMAiHKPUWD-dO2sANXAimVRkWpn7IpRTROC9s6R5gAUM3wF7LnjIgwasKGCll~bBEf-Mtt2XqlbAvubWaJOYYF1HAX4hmvE94Nfx~VnNeTq4zZQtlhmg4DYTqgqHAS2xB6Jt701Vv-M-p8-cqROXwJe9tfkmNLFiOfwhMDPtrcm7rHQrKjMJKoG5ajaLbwLJDxNzUwWIxdu8sw4x04XeNzQ~5yQpai~RkyjgZsCWibgXD-fmPkWrO2jS2tzlo4cTGZ4XPkz6CWk16np1t7fkBGeT-d-VLZU~f~kF6dTmUPRNXrPEY258DLuVy5QAlivlXDPQrdCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted to accept the minutes of its Jan. meeting during the commission’s Feb. 18, 2025, meeting held by Zoom.

Commission members moved and seconded acceptance of the minutes; a roll call recorded yes votes from Tatiana, Carol, Lynn, Alexa, Maureen and Pardee. The commission chair announced that the minutes were accepted.

The vote concluded after a brief technical delay while one member (Pardee) resolved an audio/mute problem. The commission then moved on to scheduled reports and initiatives. The commission noted the March meeting will be held on the second Tuesday (March 11) rather than its usual third-Tuesday slot.

The commission did not record any additional formal actions on the minutes beyond the roll call approval.","The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted to accept the minutes of its Jan. meeting during the Feb. 18, 2025 Zoom session; a roll call recorded six yes votes and the minutes were approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham commission reports outreach to downtown businesses, pilots portable ramps and launches autism-friendly training

Needham commission to partner with Congregational Church on sensory-friendly trunk-or-treat

Needham Commission on Disabilities approves January minutes in roll call vote