ACOD FAQ
Q: How do I register with the Town that I am disabled to get Emergency Services?
A: Anyone who needs emergency services can do so by dialing 911. 911 does provide a flagging for specific information for a particular address (on a ventilator, for example). This information can be flagged on a specific phone number by contacting the 911 operator in the city of town in which the person lives and give this information to the dispatcher supervisor and they in turn provide 911 with the information that is then flagged for that phone number. This information will appear on the screen of the 911 operator when a call is received from that address. The Dispatcher Supervisor for the Andover Public Safety Center can be reached by dialing 978-475-0411, at the beginning of the recorded message, dial 1052. You can also register for the state program, the web site address:
Q: Who is the ADA Coordinator in the town?
A: Candace Hall (978) 623-8530.
Q: How do I find resource materials that are available?
A: Resource materials are now available on the Internet and in the Town and School libraries. Links to available materials are on this web site or can be searched using anyone of the search engines (like Google, Yahoo, MSN). If you have specific requirements that can not be located call the Andover Commission on Disability chairperson for more information. In keeping with our mission to create an awareness of all disabilities, the Andover Commission on Disability was pleased to be able to provide the funding of books dealing with the subject of disabilities to the Memorial Hall Library and all of Andover's public schools.
Q: What are the Massachusetts State Agencies and Web Sites dealing with various disabilities that you can contact for help?
- Department of Mental Retardation
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
- Massachusetts Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Commission
- Massachusetts Office on Disabilities
- Governor’s Commission on Mental Retardation
- Department of Mental Health
- Mental Health Legal Advisory Committee
- Statewide Head Injury Program
Where do we announce and advertise?
- Comcast channel 22 / Verizon channel 45
- Andover Townsman
- Eagle Tribune
Our Strengths:
- Experience: many years of being disabled and/or working with a disability.
- Market: Increasing by Aging, Injuries, Family, Friends, Acceptance.
- Network: Work in industry, support services.
- Information: Access to resources - literature etc...
What have we done?:
- Developed a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for the schools
- Reviewed all schools including the two new schools and Safety Center for ADA conformance
- Reviewed, prioritized, and advocated for curb cuts and sidewalks for wheelchair access
- Established the Handicap Parking Ticketing Program in collaboration with the Police Department
- Planned for Americans with Disabilities (ADA) training for town employees
- Increased collaboration and liaison with the Senior Center
- Built a collaboration with the Massachusetts Office on Disability and increasing our capacity for individual advocacy
- ADA Monitoring of the Main Street Project
- ADA Monitoring of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Authority (MVRTA)
- Sponsored disabled artists at the Andover Artists’ Guild Art Show
- Initially funded and introduced Project Lifesaver into Andover
Who else benefits?
- Senior Citizens - Mobility Devices: Scooters, Walkers, Canes
- New parents - Carriages
- Children - Low phones, Water Fountains
- Delivery Personnel - Vendors, Movers
- People with Temporary Physical Disabilities.