Annual Report 2026: Lynn Disability Commission

Annual Report 2026 Lynn Disability Commission

The purpose of the Disability Commission is to provide officials, employees and the public with assistance and guidance and to make recommendations to improve any issue within the City that may negatively impact people with disabilities.

The Lynn Disability Commission meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 5:00 PM in Room 106, Lynn City Hall and is open to the public.

Commission Members

Richelle Waterman-Williams, Chairperson
Tracie Lindsey, Vice Chairperson
Patricia Capano, Clerk
Francisco Acosta, Member 
Louisemaine Dominique, Member
Christopher Gaeta, Member
Megan Gonzalez, Member
Jeff Lafata-Hernandez, Member

The Mayor has designated Personnel Director Drew Russo and City Clerk/Elections Chief, James Lamanna, Esq, to serve as Title I and Title II Coordinators of the city’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Public Notice

Non-Discrimination Based on Disability

The City of Lynn advises its employees, applicants, and the public that it does not discriminate
 based on a person’s disability in employment or access to its programs, services, and activities
 and may provide auxiliary aids and services, written material in alternative formats and
 reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The Mayor has appointed two coordinators to coordinate efforts to comply with the
 requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and various other federal and state laws
 protecting the rights of people with disabilities

Inquiries, requests, and complaints should be directed to:

Title I ADA Coordinator (Municipal Employees)

Drew Russo, Personnel Director

Lynn City Hall, Room 307

Phone: (781) 586-6884

Email: [email protected]

ADA Lynn Complaint Form Municipal Employees

Title II ADA Coordinator (General Public)

James P. Lamanna, Esq, City Clerk/Elections Chief

Lynn City Hall, Room204

3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901

Phone: (781) 586-6742

Email: [email protected]

ADA Lynn Complaint Form General Public

“The City of Lynn does not discriminate based on disability and may provide auxiliary aids and services, written material in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to qualified individuals with disabilities.”

CITY OF LYNN
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
(Section X. City of Lynn ADA Policy and Procedure)

The City of Lynn has adopted an informal procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any violation of ADA laws and regulations protecting individuals from discrimination based on disability in the provision of programs, services, and activities or its employment practices: 

1. A written complaint form must be filed with the Personnel Director/ ADA Coordinator within thirty (30) days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation (See ADA Complaint Form in Appendix). 

2. The complaint must contain the name and address of the complainant and include a brief description of the alleged violation(s). 

3. Within seven (7) days of receipt of a written complaint, the ADA Coordinator shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing to the complainant. 

4. Following the filing of a complaint, the ADA Coordinator will, within thirty (30) days of the filing, investigate the allegation(s) made by the complainant by reviewing all relevant documents and by discussions with the parties involved and others who may have relevant knowledge of the allegation(s). 

5. Within seven (7) days after the matter has been investigated, the ADA Coordinator shall make a recommendation to the Mayor that the City should either: 1. resolve the complaint through reasonable accommodation; 2. dismiss the complaint; or attempt to mediate the dispute between the appropriate parties. 

6. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the recommendation by the ADA Coordinator, the Mayor shall either accept, modify, or reject the recommendation, and the complainant will be promptly  notified in writing. 

7. The ADA Coordinator shall maintain a written record of each complaint filed, the action taken, and the disposition of the complaint. 

8. The right of a person to prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by that person's pursuit of other remedies, such as filing an ADA complaint with the responsible Federal department or agency. Use of this Grievance Procedure is not a prerequisite to pursuing other remedies. 

Resources: 

This list is a sampling of resources available on issues relating to individuals with disabilities.

MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE ON DISABILITY
www.mass.gov/mod

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) provides information, guidance, and training on disability rights and architectural access. They help people understand their disability rights and obligations, how regulations apply to the specifics of their situation, and practical steps they can take to assert their rights and comply with the law.

Mass.gov-Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance And Supports for People with Disabilities | Mass.gov

Learn about programs to support people with disabilities and which agencies run them

MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

www.mass.gov/mcad
The agency whose purpose is to ensure equality of opportunity by enforcing the Commonwealth's anti-discrimination laws in employment, public accommodations, education, housing, credit and mortgage lending.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

www.mass.gov/mcb
This agency provides the highest quality rehabilitation and social' services to blind individuals leading to independence and full community participation.

DPC is Massachusetts' leading disability rights organization

Regional Resources

Disability Resource Center
The Disability Resource Center is a consumer controlled and community-based agency that provides services and supports to individuals of all ages with any type of disability.

NEW ENGLAND ADA CENTER

www.newenglandada.org
This center provides information, guidance and training on the ADA, Sect.508, and accessible information technology to individuals living in New England.
This list is a sampling of resources available on issues relating to individuals with disabilities.

National Resources

ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS BOARD

www.mass.gov/aab
This agency develops and enforces regulations designed to make public buildings accessible to, functional for, and safe for use by persons with disabilities.

Civil Rights Division 

The Disability Rights Section (DRS) works to achieve equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the United States by implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and coordinating with federal agencies on the consistent implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)

WWW.DISABILITY.GOV

A federal government website that connects those with disabilities or people / organizations who deal with individuals with disabilities to thousands of disability-related resources, programs, services, laws and benefits from federal, state and local government agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.