Advisory Committee on Accessibility — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-03-16
Time: 15:00

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

Join instructions
https://zoom.us/meetings/96458163787/invitations?signature=kxJNTon-
VBIIaZaTHK_UbQ3BbDNRPQ1nybwf2zMMMfg
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Approve Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Approve minutes from 02.09.26 meeting
 Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
 Category 2. Approve Minutes
 Department Human Resources


 Type

3. Public Forum

4. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
 Subject 4.1. Draft Letter to review/adopt/sign
 Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
 Category 4. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
 Department Human Resources


 Type

 Subject 4.2. Draft Best Practices Checklist
  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
  Category 4. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
  Department Human Resources


  Type

5. Committee Membership
  Subject 5.1. Discuss adding additional members to the Committee.
  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.


  Category 5. Committee Membership

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Committee Priorities Discussion
  Subject 6.1. Discuss priorities for 2026 including:

 • Accessible Voting
 • City Department ADA Title II Assessments



  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.


  Category 6. Committee Priorities Discussion

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Other Committee Business

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT 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 March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
  Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type

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

Join instructions
https://zoom.us/meetings/96458163787/invitations?signature=kxJNTon-
VBIIaZaTHK_UbQ3BbDNRPQ1nybwf2zMMMfg
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Approve Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Approve minutes from 02.09.26 meeting
 Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
 Category 2. Approve Minutes
 Department Human Resources


 Type

3. Public Forum

4. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
 Subject 4.1. Draft Letter to review/adopt/sign
 Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
 Category 4. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
 Department Human Resources


 Type

 Subject 4.2. Draft Best Practices Checklist



 Page 1 of 8
  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.
  Category 4. Sign & Adopt Best Practices Letter
  Department Human Resources


  Type

5. Committee Membership
  Subject 5.1. Discuss adding additional members to the Committee.
  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.


  Category 5. Committee Membership

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Committee Priorities Discussion
  Subject 6.1. Discuss priorities for 2026 including:

 • Accessible Voting
 • City Department ADA Title II Assessments



  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.


  Category 6. Committee Priorities Discussion

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Other Committee Business

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT or remotely via
 ZOOM.


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board




 Page 2 of 8
  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 March 16, 2026 - Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Monday, March 16, 2026, 3:00
 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT 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, February 9, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor of City
 Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont


In Attendance:
Nate Besio (chair), Lisa Black, Sharon Henault, Ashley Parker, Katherine Schad, Scottie Taylor,
Tim Williams

Others in Attendance:
Jon Adams-Kollitz, Meaghan Diffenderfer


1. Call to Order
 a. Called to order by Chair Besio 3:04 pm
2. Adopt the Agenda
 a. Motion to adopt the agenda as written by Lisa, seconded by Katherine
 i. All in favor, so moved and adopted.
3. Adopt Minutes
 a. Motion to adopt the November meeting minutes as written by Tim, seconded by Ashley
 i. All in favor, so moved and approved
 b. Motion to adopt the January meeting minutes as written by Sharon, seconded by Lisa
 i. All in favor, so moved and approved.
4. News & Updates
 a. Tim shares with Committee that he will be stepping away after this meeting in his role
 as staffer as well as his Committee appointment.
 b. Meaghan Diffenderfer introduces herself, she will be stepping in as future staffer for the
 committee.
 c. Committee needs to fill the seat emptied by Tim, and can fill up to vacant slots
 i. To fill seats, members need to be approved by HRPC (Human Resources Policy
 Committee) and then full Council.
 d. Braille love notes are now on display at Fletcher Free Library as a part of the CEDO /
 CSM love note campaign. Some were also translated into other major spoken
 languages (not including English) spoken in Burlington.
 i. Next year the committee hopes to engage with CEDO around this campaign
 even earlier in hopes of finding other creative accessibility for this campaign
 e. VT Coalition for Disability Rights is holding a day of advocacy at the State House to
 meet with representatives on Wednesday, February 11.
 f. Sharon asks about the committee stipends – hers have not been received yet.
5. Public Forum




 Page 4 of 8
 a. Jon Adams-Kollitz introduces himself. Jon is a member of the Parks department. They
 have just completed construction on two universally accessible restrooms at Oakledge
 in the lower pavilion. They are family style and gender neutral. They feature the first
 adult changing table in the Parks restrooms. There is work being done to make the
 space universally accessible.
 6. Open & Accessible Meetings Best Practices Letter
 a. Committee working to submit this letter to the Mayor’s Office with the recommendations
 to make accessibility practices standard across all open meetings. While the letter is
 not fully inclusive, the suggestions are meant to exist as a living document that can be
 updates as ideas and suggestions arise. Topics include:
 i. Introduction before speaking at each meeting
 ii. Clear instruction to accessible meeting locations
 iii. Maintain minutes in formats compatible with screen readers.
 b. Scottie raises if, along with these recommendations, should the committee make
 specific action points or set what accountability looks like for the other committees to be
 sure these are adhered to?
 i. Offering help and support on how to assist other committees to meet these best
 practices – create a checklist for committee staffers during the transitionary
 period into this practice.
 c. Next steps:
 i. Adjust letter to include the checklist for consideration.
 ii. Each member will review letter and send any edits to Meaghan and Nate, and
 will be discussed at March meeting.
 7. Other Committee Business
 a. Update on appointing additional members to the committee.
 i. We will have one vacant seat for City of Burlington employee, and can have up
 to three additional members.
 ii. Sharon moves to approve Meaghan Diffenderfer to fill the City of Burlington
 committee seat. Lisa seconds.
 1. All in favor, so moved and approved.
 iii. Sharon moves to approve Jon Adams-Kollitz as another Committee member.
 Lisa seconds.
 1. All in favor, so moved and approved.
 b. Lisa thanks Tim for all his hard work and all he has done for the Committee.
 c. Next meeting will be March 16.
 8. Adjournment
 a. Tim moves to adjourn, Ashley seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved.
 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. 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 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 5 of 8
Date: November 10, 2025
To: Emma Mulvaney-Stanak,
Chief Administrative Officer, Katherine Schad
HR Director, Kerin Durfee

Burlington Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Open and Accessible Meetings Best Practices

Dear Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak,

Since the resolution to recognize the Burlington Advisory
Committee on Accessibility as a formal the organization was
passed by Burlington Council approximately one year ago, our
committee members have been working diligently to ensure that
the City of Burlington is open and accessible to all people with
disabilities. We will soon be outlining these accomplishments and
our annual report.

We are focusing on several goals for the upcoming year and one
of the issues we would like to address is making sure that all City
of Burlington open meetings to the public follow the best
practices to make themselves accessible to people with all
abilities. It has come to our attention that there is some
inconsistency on how the open meetings make themselves
accessible to the public and we would like to provide all the city
departments with an update on the best practices they should
follow to make sure people of all abilities to participate. We have
reviewed several documents recommending accessibility best
practices for other municipalities and organizations. Using this
information, we recommend the following best practices be
followed when holding open meetings to make sure they are
accessible to the public at large.

  •  Have speakers identify themselves prior to speaking,
  including when addressing another member of the committee
  or sharing remarks about an item of discussion.




 Page 6 of 8
  • Maintain clear instructions for meeting locations both for
  physical meeting spaces, sharing how to access space if
  mobility aids are needed, and how to access them online for
  hybrid meetings.

  •  Maintain meeting minutes and presentations in a style and
  format that is compatible with screen readers.

  •  Turn on closed captioning when available for reference, both
  for people online, and in the room.

Thank you for your consideration and support in ensuring that the
Queen City is accessible to people of all abilities. We look forward
to your response.

City of Burlington Accessibility Committee,

Nate Besio, Lisa Black, Tim Williams, Karen Downey, Ashley
Parker, Scotty Taylor, John Thompson and Sharon Henault




 Page 7 of 8
 City of Burlington
 Open and Accessible Meetings Best Practices Checklist


• Provide meeting minutes and upcoming agenda and 14 point
  sans serif font in a format accessible by screen readers.

• Provide clear instructions for meeting location including
  directions on accessible entrances for individuals using
  mobility aids.

• Maintain a clear and open meeting space that is accessible
  for people using mobility aids to attend the meeting.

• Provide clear instructions on how to access meeting online if
  meeting is an hybrid setting.

• Turn on closed captions when available for reference, both
  for people joining online and in the room.

• Provide clear instructions including contact information and
  request date for how people can reach out to request
  reasonable accommodations including ASL interpreters,
  hearing augmentation systems and handouts in large print.


• Ask speakers to identify themselves prior to speaking,
  including when addressing another member of the
  committee or sharing remarks about an item of discussion.




 Page 8 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
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.
 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 7 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.
 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
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.