1996-07-02Co-Chairpersons
BEVERLY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
(508) 921-6000
Don Atkineon
FBC Property Mgmt.
401 Essex Street
Beverly
Dear Don:
July 2, 1996
Corp.
Re: Accessibility issues
Following our tour and meeting on June 27th, I want to
confirm our identification of the accessibility barriers
in the four "handicapped accessible" units at Turtle
Woods. At that meeting, we agreed to modify my letter and
list dated June 7, 1996, eliminating several items which
would be admirable improvements, but which are not code
violations, in my opinion.
Remaining on my original list ere the following items
which are, in my opinion, violations of the Massachusetts
Architectural Access Board Rules and Regulations:
1. KITCHEN:
- stove is regular style, rather than required cooktop
with wall-hung oven;
- stove controls are on back panel;
- garbage disposal switch is on back wall;
- fan control is too high (on hood).
2. BEDROOM:
- closet shelf is 62" high and not ad3ustable;
- windows are not operable from seated position.
3. THERMOSTAT:
is about 66" high.
4. MAIN ENTRANCE:
intercom may be higher than 54".
-2-
At our meetin9 you agreed to correct these probleme. I am
pleased that you also have addressed one of the
additional items, viz. replacing one of the clothes .-
washers with a front-loading style.
As Co-Chairperson of the Beverly Commission on
Disabilities, I have consulted with Bruce Bruno of the
Massachusetts Office on Disabilities. Bruce has informe~
me that the roles of his Office and the Commonwealth's
Architectural Access Board do not provide for their
supplying any further written documentation of these
apparent violations. At his suggestion, however, I will
provide this letter to our local Building Inspector.
I appreciate the attention which you and your Board of
Directors are paying to these issues, albeit late in the
process. Clearly, the FBC is committed to respecting the
civil rights of all citizens in its programs. The
Beverty Commission on Disabilities will continue to
monitor the progress of corrections on the above-named
barriers. The Beverly Commission requests written notice
as you proceed, and again offers consultation and
assistance to hasten the process.
Elise R. Bernstein
Home phone: 922-5745
Work phone: 922-1722
Cc:
Tim Brennan, Beverly Building Inspector
Bruce Bruno, Massachusetts Office on Disabilities
Members, Beverly Commission on Disabilities