Advisory Committee on Accessibility — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-04-20
Time: 15:00

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

  Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149
 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96458163787?pwd=cy0Oo4cojlRpMP3XzAx4UkLjx6FjMg.1
Meeting ID: 964 5816 3787
Passcode: 240456
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Adopt minutes from 3/16/26 meeting.
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM
  Category 2. Adopt Minutes
  Department Human Resources


  Type

3. Public Forum

4. News & Updates
  Subject 4.1. Update on Best Practices Letter to Mayor's Office
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

  Subject 4.2. BPRW Updates
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM
  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Discussion - Election Accessibility
  Subject 5.1. Discussion with Sarah Montgomery, Assistant City Clerk, around additional
 accessibility for voting locations.
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 5. Discussion - Election Accessibility

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. City Department ADA Title II Assessment
  Subject 6.1. Create a work plan for inviting City departments to report back to the
 Committee.
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 6. City Department ADA Title II Assessment

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Other Committee Business

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM
Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

  Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149
 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96458163787?pwd=cy0Oo4cojlRpMP3XzAx4UkLjx6FjMg.1
Meeting ID: 964 5816 3787
Passcode: 240456
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Adopt minutes from 3/16/26 meeting.
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM
  Category 2. Adopt Minutes
  Department Human Resources


  Type

3. Public Forum

4. News & Updates
  Subject 4.1. Update on Best Practices Letter to Mayor's Office
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

  Subject 4.2. BPRW Updates
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM




 Page 1 of 8
  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Discussion - Election Accessibility
  Subject 5.1. Discussion with Sarah Montgomery, Assistant City Clerk, around additional
 accessibility for voting locations.
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 5. Discussion - Election Accessibility

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. City Department ADA Title II Assessment
  Subject 6.1. Create a work plan for inviting City departments to report back to the
 Committee.
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 6. City Department ADA Title II Assessment

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Other Committee Business

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements



 Page 2 of 8
Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
Meeting April 20, 2026 - BACA 04.20.26 - Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00 PM, 3:00 pm, Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church Street, OR Remotely via ZOOM
Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type




 Page 3 of 8
 Advisory Committee on Accessibility

 Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149
 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.

3:00 pm, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.,
Burlington, VT OR Remotely via ZOOM: Please click the link below to
join the webinar:
Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/96458163787?pwd=cy0Oo4cojlRpMP3XzAx4UkLjx6FjMg.1
Meeting ID: 964 5816 3787
Passcode: 240456


In Attendance:
Nate Besio, Chair (NB)
Jon Adams-Kollitz (JAK)
Lisa Black (LB)
Meaghan Diffenderfer (MD)
Sharon Henault (SH)
John Thomas (JT)
Scottie Taylor (ST)
Ashley Parker (AP)
Karen Downey (KD)

Others in attendance:
Sophie Sauve (SS)
Charlie Messing (CM)

Meeting called to order 3:05 pm




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1. Adopt the Agenda
 • JT moves to adopt the agenda as written; SH seconds; all in favor, so
 moved and approved
2. Approve Minutes
 • SH moves to approve the minutes as written, LB seconds; all in favor,
 so moved and approved
3. Public Forum
 • CM introduced themselves; they used to sit on Council of Aging, which
 has dissolved. He noted that for aging populations, sidewalks are a big
 pressure point, as well as access to the hospital, since new parts of the
 hospital are on Tilley Dr. which isn’t accessible via bus route.
4. News and Announcements
 • JAK shares that the City is working on PlanBTV 2050 – a vision of
 Burlington for the next 25 years – the last time a plan of this scale was
 completed was in 2015. In 2015, there wasn’t a deep focus on
 Accessibility – language was used 12 times in very specific
 targets/goals. Five of those instances were specific to accessibility in
 the physical environment as opposed to language/culture. The 2050
 plan will be very ambitious in that it will not only function as the
 mandated municipal development plan, but also will include sub-plans
 for three different elements: Transportation, Economic Development,
 and Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront. Additionally, BPRW will be
 updating their departmental comprehensive plan which was last
 completed in 2015 as well. There will be an open house on April 30,
 likely at BCA (but still TBD) for those who would like to provide input.
 Over the next year there will be further opportunities to engage, and
 BACA will likely be a stakeholder group for this process.
 i. A request was made to share the 2015 plan with the committee
 for reference.
 • NB reminded everyone that he shared a Strategic Directions Survey
 that was sent out by GMT for members to complete.
 i. Sharon Henault adds that Burlington gave GMT a million dollars
 for the Older Adults & Disabilities (O&D) transportation, but
 unsure if there are any stipulations in place with that funding.
 She would like to see further discussion so people aren’t placed
 in situations where they can’t get to their jobs/grocery
 shopping/what they need.




 Page 5 of 8
 ii. The committee will invite GMT to a future meeting.
 1. Ashley Parker flags that the original survey came from
 DPW Director Chapin Spencer who also sits on the GMT
 Commission, so connecting with him & co-chair Andrea
 Suozzo would be a good first step.
 • NB plugs that there is a Power Soccer Tournament taking place on April
 11 at UVM hosted by UVM and the NE Disabled Athletic Association. 8
 teams this year from Canada, Boston, NH, Syracuse – more
 announcements forthcoming!
5. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
 • Draft Letter to review/adopt/sign
 i. Committee reviewed the letter, including a few minor edits MD
 made.
 • Draft Best Practices Checklist
 i. Nate provided a draft checklist, which the committee reviewed.
 • SH moves to send the letter to the Mayor’s office et al., AP seconds
 i. All in favor, so moved and approved.
 ii. MD will send the letter.
6. Committee Membership
 • We have 10 of the 12 seats filled. We have two more that can be filled
 if anyone comes to mind. Would be good to have deaf/HoH/blind
 individual representation.
7. Committee Priorities Discussions
 • Looking to find the issues/topics we would like to focus on during the
 coming year, and how we want to go about addressing them:
 i. Accessible voting – in particular for the coming November
 elections
 1. KD had talked with individuals in Ward 6 about the
 relocation of the polling place, and got positive feedback.
 One person was confused because they went to an old
 door and didn’t see a sign directing them to the correct
 side of the building.
 2. Ward 4 polling location (Miller Center) isn’t on the bus
 route and is far off of North Ave where the bus stop is.
 a. What we need for accessible spaces: busses that can
 get to the voting center on election day, and space
 must be physically accessible.




 Page 6 of 8
 3. We will invite Sarah Montgomery (Assistant City Clerk) to
 attend our next meeting
 ii. City Department ADA Title II Assessments
 1. Departments were supposed to report back on what they
 were doing, but fizzled out.
 2. Committee will confirm department contacts and invite
 them to join meetings.
 iii. Parking
 1. There is currently a Transportation Demand Management
 Agreement with multi-use buildings to reduce parking
 spaces in exchange for very specific regulations, but
 handicap/accessible spaces are still supposed to have
 priority even when parking is reduced. That does not seem
 to be enforced rigidly. To connect with P&I/DRB on this
 topic.
 2. Privately owned garages to not have signage when there is
 no accessible parking in their lot; this issue got brought to
 City Council, and then the Attorney’s Office. Committee is
 interested in a follow up on where that issue stands, and
 will make recommendations accordingly.
 3. Are the inspectors the same for municipal and private
 projects, and what is their checklist/role in ensuring
 adherence?
 iv. Transportation – ensuring access to hospital, etc.
 8. Other Committee Business
 • Next meeting on April 20.
 9. Adjournment
 • JT motions to adjourn, JAK seconds; All in favor, so moved and
 approved.
Meeting adjourned, 4:00 pm.
 10.Information and Non-Discrimination Statements
 This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities who
 require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged to
 contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in advance
 so that proper arrangements can be made. The City of Burlington will not



 Page 7 of 8
tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV
positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.




 Page 8 of 8