Shaping the Future of Accessible Housing

Accessibility in design goes beyond physical spaces; it enhances quality of life by allowing individuals to participate fully in their communities. As we look to the future of housing development, it’s vital to integrate accessibility at every stage, ensuring that homes are inclusive, safe, and responsive to the needs of all residents.

Join CHAPA on Thursday, December 5, at MassHousing for our Shaping the Future of Accessible Housing forum. The event will feature insights from those with lived experience, sharing how housing accessibility impacts their daily lives. A panel of architects and developers with experience incorporating accessibility into their projects will share best practices. Additionally, a representative from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) will provide insight into the variance process.

Panelists:

• MODERATOR: Kristen McCosh, Disability Commissioner & ADA Title II Coordinator, City of Boston, Disabilities Commission
• Laura Baker, Real Estate Development Director, Valley CDC
• Lizbeth Heyer, President, 2LifeCommunities
• William Joyce, Executive Director, Massachusetts Architectural Access Board
• Olivia Richard, CHAPA Board Member
• More TBA!

Please note in the event registration form or email Jordan Stocker (jstocker@chapa.org) if you need any accommodations for the event. The forum will begin promptly at 10 AM, so please arrive around 9:30 AM to check in and enjoy light refreshments.

Kristen McCosh is the Disability Commissioner and ADA Title II Coordinator for the City of Boston. In this role, she leads the City’s collective efforts to ensure access, inclusion, and non-discrimination on the basis of disability, so that all disabled residents and visitors have an equal opportunity to participate fully in everything that Boston has to offer. A life-long resident of Boston, Kristen has been a part of the disability community for over 30 years after becoming disabled from an injury during high school. She began to advocate for disability rights during college, just as the Americans with Disabilities Act was being signed into law, and she has seen first-hand the improvements in accessibility and inclusion throughout society over the past 30 years.

Laura Baker has worked in the field of community development for the past 35 years and holds an MA in Community Economic Development. She has a passion for affordable housing and has worked to create new, affordable housing opportunities for the past 20 years at Hilltown Community Development Corporation, as a private consultant, and in her current role at Valley Community Development. She has experience in architectural barriers removal for accessibility in public buildings and private homes through the CDBG Program.

William Joyce is a committed public servant and the Executive Director of the Architectural Access Board. He has served in that role since 2020, prior to which he was the Board's Compliance Officer. He is dedicated to advancing the Board's mission of ensuring that buildings and facilities in the Commonwealth are accessible to and safe for use by persons with disabilities.