The Needham Commission on Disabilities received several updates Oct. 21 on local accessibility work from school and commission members.

Commission members reported that a stuck automatic door at Needham High School, which affected a student with mobility needs, has been ticketed with the school’s facilities department and parts are on order; work is expected to occur the following week. The commission said the fix was initiated after outreach from members and a principal reported the repair ticket was submitted.

Trish Melton, special education director at Needham High School, updated the commission on a recently completed external review of the district’s Intensive Learning Center (ILC) programming for K–8 and said the agency that conducted the review presented its findings to parents at a CPAC meeting. Melton said the next step is a committee — to be convened by Stephanie, Trish and Danny — that will translate the report’s recommendations into action. She summarized recommendations including reviewing entrance and exit criteria for the program and increasing inclusion opportunities; the full report is posted on the Needham Public Schools special education website.

Felix reported a parking adjustment near Trader Joe’s and CVS: a nearby spot that had not been marked as accessible is being used as an additional accessible spot and staff placed a handicap sign on a pole to help mitigate afternoon shortages in accessible spaces caused by delivery vehicle staging in the usual accessible area.

Commissioners noted continued outreach to downtown businesses about accessibility and said they plan targeted in-person visits after letters had limited impact.

Ending

The commission will monitor the high school repair progress, convene the ILC follow-up committee to pursue recommendations, and continue outreach to businesses and town staff about accessible parking and facility improvements.