KMA consultant outlines five-month ADA self-evaluation and transition plan for Concord

Emmanuel Andre, a licensed Massachusetts architect with consulting firm KMA LLC, told the Concord Commission on Disability on the commission’s kickoff meeting that his team will perform a nine‑task ADA self‑evaluation and create a transition plan over the next five months.

The commission convened to focus on the project after approving routine minutes. Andre said KMA will conduct facility reconnaissance, departmental and admin surveys, a public survey, website and software platform reviews, and draft a self‑evaluation report that will be converted into a spreadsheet transition plan listing recommendations, responsible town staff and schedules.

“This is really, an opportunity for us to really understand the level of accessibility provided by the town,” Andre said, describing the project’s emphasis on programmatic as well as building deficiencies. He told commissioners the final self‑evaluation report typically runs “40 pages to 60 pages” and that KMA expects to deliver final materials around June 15 so the town can meet a June 30 funding deadline.

On surveys, Andre said the contractor will administer an admin (coordinator) survey, department surveys and a short public survey intended to capture residents’ experiences. He said departmental survey responses will be treated as confidential while the public survey’s questions and aggregated results will be published. “We don’t release the results of the departmental survey, but we do release the results of the public survey,” he said.

Commissioner Robert asked whether the public survey could identify respondents who have disabilities. Andre replied that public surveys should not require respondents to disclose disability status and cautioned that asking such questions could create legal risk: “We are not allowed to ask … we can get in big trouble by suggesting that,” he said, and instead recommended targeted outreach so people with disabilities are aware of the survey.

Andre described the website review as a limited, high‑traffic check—he asked the commission to nominate five frequently used pages for review—and said KMA would evaluate permit and GIS platforms where feasible. He noted KMA is not an IT specialist and will provide a cursory web assessment while recommending more comprehensive work to an IT expert if needed.

Facilities to be audited include roughly “5 to 8 buildings” commissioners identified in discussion: the community services building at 55 Church Street, the Kaiser Complex (community development), the Hunt Gym, the townhouse meeting room (noted for poor acoustics) and other public‑facing spaces; commission members suggested adding town hall and Jerome Park to the scope.

The team will also draft model policies and procedures—sample ADA public notices, grievance procedures, service‑animal policies and contract language (for example, specifying how contractors should prioritize clearing accessible parking during snow removal)—and will flag programmatic improvements that can be addressed through training rather than capital projects.

Andre said KMA will share sample surveys and public‑outreach examples and that KMA staff will be in Concord in March to begin facility work. He encouraged commission members to help market the public survey to ensure strong participation from people with disabilities. The commission agreed to move its March meeting to March 9 to organize outreach.

The commission adjourned after thanking Andre and confirming next steps.