Yorktown’s Accessibility Advisory Committee is looking beyond physical barriers to make the town more inclusive for residents with disabilities, from improving public spaces to encouraging businesses to better accommodate families with loved ones on the autism spectrum.
The Town Board accepted the committee’s revise d mission statement, presented by Chair Kathleen Macias-Torres, emphasizing accessibility, inclusion, equitable participation and advising the town on creating a more accessible community.
“We thought that statement is more inclusive than the one that we currently have on our website,” she told the board on Oct. 13.
Supervisor Ed Lachterman and the Town Board, with Councilman Patrick Murphy absent, agreed to the updated mission statement.
Members have been discussing repairing the railings and ramp at Town Hall, improving accessible parking markings and exploring American Sign Language interpretation at town meetings.
The committee is also exploring a sensory-friendly business initiative modeled after a program in Bedford. Potential measures include workshops for businesses and first responders, designated shopping hours for families with loved ones on the autism spectrum and sensory toys or materials to help children feel more comfortable in public spaces.
The committee plans to study Bedford’s initiative and assess whether a similar program could work in Yorktown before presenting its findings to the Town Board.
“I could see myself getting behind that 100 percent,”Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito said.
Members also discussed improving wayfinding through signage and digital tools and gathering accessibility concerns from the Senior Advisory Committee.
Town Board members expressed support for incorporating the committee’s recommendations into a proposed downtown redesign.
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