>> WELCOME, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ANDREA. OPEN MEETING LAW EQUIRES THAT I NOTIFY THE PUBLIC THIS MEETING IS REQUIRED. BE AWARE AN AUDIO AND VISUAL RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS
MADE BY BOSTON CITYITY V, OFF THE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND IS BEING BROADCAST ON EXPIRE FENTY 26 AND 962 AS WELL AS BEING LIVE STREAMED ON YOUTUBE WHERE THE
RECORDING WILL BE POSTED AFTER THE MEETING. IF YOU NEED THE AGENDA I'M ABOUT TO PUT A LINK IN THE CHAT. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ACCESS SUCH AS CAPTIONS OR ASL, YOU CAN LET ME
KNOW AND I WILL HELP. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO ACTING VICE-CHAIR OLIVIA RICHARD. >> HELLO. GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO OUR FINAL MEETING OF THE YEAR. AND OF THE DISABILITY COMMISSION
ADVISORY BOARD. WE'LL START WITH INTRODUCTIONS.
AND WE'LL START WITH CARL. >> OKAY. HELLO, GOOD EVENING. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY. I'M CARL RICHARDSON. I LIVE IN BRIGHTON AND I IDENTIFY AS A MEMBER OF THE DEAF-BLIENT COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. >> PAUL? >> I'M PAUL CARON. LIVE IN THE WEST END OF BOSTON. I SERVE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ADVISORY BOARD WHICH I'M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND WORK AT THE CITY
OF BOSTON PLANNING DEPARTMENT. >> JUAN CARLOS? >> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'M JUAN CARLOS TAPIA.
I'M A. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] >> OKAY. >> I'M TARA SOUTHARD, AUTHOR ON
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. I REPRESENT ROUGH DAYS. >> ALL RIGHT. WESLEY?
>> HI, THERE, EVERYBODY. I'M WES AND I AM USING SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE MEETING. THEY ARE FEMALES. YOU'LL HEAR FEMALE VOICES BUY I'M A WHITE MALE.
I'M WEARING A NAVY BLUE HOODIE AND I'M A MEMBER OF THIS BOARD. I LIVE IN AT THE NORTH END. HAPPY HOLIDAYS AS WELL TO ALL OF YOU. >> OKAY.
ANDREA, KU YOU MAKE PAULETTE CO-CHAIR? >> YES, APOLOGIES I HAD NOT DONE THAT. PAULETTE CAN UNMUTE HERSELF IF YOU WOULD CALL ON HER.
>> WOULD LOVE TO CALL ON AULA. >> I LIVE IN THE SECTION OF THE CITY. I'M AN OLDER BLACK WOMAN WITH BLACK GLASSES AND GRAY T-SHIRT ON. I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION
AND I'M RETIRED. >> AWESOME. OKAY. I AM OLIVIA RICHARD. I'M THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY BOARD. I AM A WHITE FEMALE WEARING
GLASSES, CLOSE CROPPED HAIR, HEADPHONES AND A BLACK T-SHIRT. I COME FROM BRIGHTON. >> OLIVIA, ZARY HAS JOINED US S WELL. >> OH, YES.
LET'S MAKE HER A CO-CHAIR TOO. >> >> DONE. >> OKAY. ZARY? >> HI, EVERYONE, HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
I'M ZARY. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] I'M A WHITE FEMALE. THANK YOU.
>> GREAT. ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS JOINED? NO? NOT SEEING ANYONE IN THE LIST. SO. >> I CAN JUMP IN. >> OH, YES.
MY GOSH. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER MCCOSH. I'M COMMISSIONER AND COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY.
I'M A WOMAN WITH BLOND HAIR AND GLASSES. I AM A LITERARY. WELCOME. NICE TO SEE YOU. >> AWESOME.
OKAY. SO WE HAVE DONE THAT. WE HAVE A QUORUM. SO WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES? >> THIS IS CARL.
I MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES. OCTOBER MINUTES. >> PAUL. SECOND. >> AWESOME. ANY DISCUSSIONS?
HEARING NONE, WE'LL TAKE A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTAINING? NO. ALL RIGHT.
IT PASSES. WE CCEPT THE MINUTES. SO WE'RE HAVING A PRESENTATION
ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES FROM DR. MICHAEL EVERETT. ARE YOU READY? >> I'M READY TO GO. >> OKAY. LET'S TAKE IT OFF.
>> I JUST SHARED MY SCREEN. IS THAT COMING THROUGH? >> YES. >> GREAT. SO LET ME GIVE A QUICK INTRODUCTION ABOUT MYSELF. I'M MICHAEL EVERETT, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT NORTH EERP. I HAVE BEEN HERE ABOUT THREE
YEARS BUT I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN GREATER BOSTON FOR MUCH LONGER. I MOVED ERE IN ABOUT 2011 FOR SCHOOL THEN I HAVE ENJOYED IT SO MUCH I HAVEN'T LEFT. I LIVED IN BACK BAY FOR A WHILE, SOUTH END, THEN MOVED TO THE SUBURBS.
THE GOAL TODAY WAS TO GIVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF 'TONNOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY. I'LL SHARE A LITTLE BIT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AS A RESEARCHER THINKING ABOUT AUTONOMOUS ROBOT NAVIGATION AND GIVE MY
PERSPECTIVE OIN' HOW THESE VEHICLES WORK, DECISION MAKING AND SOME OF THE LIMITATIONS AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS THAT I THINK ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US AS CITIZENS TO BE AWARE OF. I'LL GIVE THE PRESENTATION. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO
CHIME IN AT ANY MOMENT, ASK ME QUESTION. I'LL GIVE THE PRESENTATION TRYING TO ASSUME AS LITTLE BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU'RE AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE EXPERT OR THE FIRST TIME YOU'RE LEARNING ABOUT THIS I'M HAPPY TO
TAKE OUR QUESTIONS. I'LL MOVE ON TO MY NEXT SLIDE. THE FIRST QUESTION I WANT TO PROPOSE IS WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS TODAY? ON THE LEFT SIDE IS A PICTURE FROM CHANNEL 5 NEWS OF A
SELF-DRIVING EHICLE THAT WAS IN BOSTON EARLIER THIS FALL. THAT RECENT COMMERCIAL INTEREST AND THINKING ABOUT THESE ROBO TAXI ERVICES AROUND BOSTON IS REALLY EXCITE EXCITING FOR A ROT OF PEOPLE. YOU THINK ABOUT THE LEVEL OF ACCESS YOU CAN GET AROUND TOWN
IN NOW WAYS NOT POSSIBLE PREVIOUSLY. THAT'S VERY EXCITING. AT THE SAME TIME IT'S HARD TO SEPARATE THE HYPE THAT THE MEDIA IS PORTRAYING AND SOME OF THE COMPANIES ARE PORTRAYING VERSUS REALITY OF WHAT THEY CAN DO TODAY. THAT'S ONE OF THE GOALS OF THIS
CONVERSATION IS TO TRY TO SHARE SOME OF WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON. I HAVE A TIMELINE OF SOME OF THE BIG EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF
AUTONOMOUS EHICLE TECHNOLOGY. ON THE LEFT IN ABOUT 1989 THERE WAS RESEARCH AT CARN DI MELON UNIVERSITY THINKING ABOUT AUTONOMOUS DRIVING AND IT'S AMAZING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEIR WORK, THE TECHNOLOGY IS ALMOST
HAS A LOT OF PARALLEL TO WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY. THEY ARE USING IDEAS OF NEURONETWORKS, MAKE A DECISION OF WHAT STEERING ANGLE TO PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HOW MUCH THROTTLE AND BRAKES ARE USED.
THAT'S 35 YEARS OR SO AGO NOW. AS WE GO ALONG ON OUR HISTORY OF THE TECHNOLOGY IN THE 2000s THERE WAS A MAJOR EFFORT BY THE UFORT GOVERNMENT TO INVEST IN THIS TECHNOLOGY. IN THE PORM OF DARKER CHALLENGES
WHERE THE GOVERNOR WOULD GET TOGETHER TEENS TO PAIR TOGETHER AND REALLY HAVE A COMPETITION TO SEE IN SOME CASES IT WAS DRIVE ACROSS THE DESERT, HAVE RACE TO SEE WHO GETS TO THE END OF THE MISSION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
AS THOSE CHALLENGES EVOLVED IT STARTED TO BE MORE URBAN SETTING, HAVING MULTIPLE CARS TRYING TO NAVIGATE REALLY CONTROLLED CITY STREETS ON A TEST TRAFFIC DESIGNED FOR THIS SCENARIO.
THAT BIG INBE. BY THE GOVERNMENT LED TO A BUNCH OF NEW IDEAS AND RESEARCH. PEOPLE TRAINED TO THINK ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. LED TO THE HUGE ERA OF GROWTH IN 2010 OF ALMOST EVERY CAR COMPANY YOU CAN THINK OF OR AME, EVEN A BUNCH OF COMPANIES AND
MANUFACTURERS YOU NEVER HEARD OF WERE SAYING WE'RE WORKING ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES. THIS IS THE FUTURE. TONS OF INVESTMENT, MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WENT INTO THAT. IN ABOUT FOR 12 THE GOOGLE
SELF-DRIVING CAR PASSED THE HUMAN ADMINISTERED DRIVER'S TEST. THAT'S AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE. THERE ARE SOME CAVEATS WITH THAT STATEMENT OF WHAT TEST THEY PASSED BUT THE FACT THAT ABOUT 13, 14 YEARS AGO WE HAD A CAR THAT COULD NAVIGATE THE SAME
TEST ALMOST THAT 16 OR 15-YEAR-OLD PERSON MAY BE DRIVING DEPENDING ON WHAT STATE THEY ARE IN THAT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE THAT THAT WAS POSSIBLE AT THAT TIME. CLOSER TO TODAY I KERR 2020 IS
THIS ERA N THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL ABAITION TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IS ANY OF THIS CRAZY RESEARCH HAPPENING GOING TO LEAD TO A PRODUCT THAT COMPANIES WITH SELL AND MAKE MONEY OFF OF OR WAS A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON
THINGS THAT ARE OUT OF REACH. ALL OF THE COMPANIES HAVE MERGED OR CHANGED FOCUS AND THERE'S JUST A FEW KEY PLAYERS THAT ARE STILL INVESTING HEAVILY IN WHAT WE CALL ROBO TAXIS, A SERVICE THAT COULD DRIVE YOU AROUND.
A LOT OF OTHER COMPANIES HAVE ADVANCED CRUISE CONTROL HERE YOU AS THE DRIVER ARE STILL IN CONTROL AT ALL TIMES THAT MAYBE CAN PASS OFF UNDER YOUR DECISION MAKING. THE LAST SATELLITE I'LL MENTION
TO GROUND THE CONVERSATION TODAY, THERE'S SOME ESTIMATE OUT THERE BY ONE OF THE ANALYST FIRMS THAT SAYS WAY MO IS GIVING OUT 450 THOUSAND DOLLARS PAID RIDES AUTONOMOUSLY PER WEEK. THAT NUMBER IS PRETTY STAGGERING
RELATIVE TO WHERE WE WERE A FEW YEARS AGO. THESE ARE NOT JUST EXPERIMENTAL RIDES THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE TAKING RIDES IN CARS. THESE ARE ALMOST HALF A MILLION PAID RIDES BY CUSTOMERS EVERY SINGLE WEEK. THE TECHNOLOGY IS OUT THERE IN
LOTS OF CITIES. IT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AN PP AND TAKE A RIDE IN SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, A FEW OTHER CITIES. THIS IS SOMETHING OUT THERE. THERE ARE QUESTIONS WHETHER IT
MAKES SENSE FOR THAT TO BE HAPPENING IN BOSTON. SO I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT BOUT HOW THESE SYSTEMS WORK. THERE'S TWO BIG IDEAS I WANT TO CONVEY. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES USE SENSORS TO SEE AND THEY USE COMPUTERS TO
MAKE DECISIONS. SO I'LL WALK THROUGH A COUPLE F CENTERS THAT ARE USED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WORLD LOOKS LIKE FROM THE CAR'S PERSPECTIVE THEN MENTION A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DECISION MAKING THESE CARS ARE CAPABLE OF. IT'S NOT THAT DIFFERENT WHERE
THE WAY PEOPLE DRIVE. WE USE DIFFERENT WAYS TO OBSERVE THE SCENE AROUND US IN THE SIDE I HAVE HERE I HAVE 3-D LIGHTER SENSOR VISUALIZATION OF THAT TYPE OF DATA. ON THE LEFT IF YOU LOOKED AT A
SINGLE MEASUREMENT YOU CAN SEE ALL THE RINGS THAT ARE EFFECTIVELY SENDING OUT BOLTS OF LIGHT, SEEING HOW LONG IT TAKES TO COME BACK. WE CAN TALK ABOUT HOW FAR AWAY THAT OBJECT WAS.
YOU CAN BUILD UP WHAT WE CALL PUNK CLOUDS. ALL THE DOTS HAT REPRESENT COORDINATES OF OP JECTS AROUND YOU. THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT SENSOR BEING USED BY A VAST MAJORITY OF THE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES OUT
THERE. THIS LIGHTER SENSOR. I HAVE A NICE GRAPHIC OUT OF MY RESEARCH GROUP THAT IN THE SOUTH END ACROSS OUR CAMPUS YOU MAY RECOGNIZE ONE OF THESE PARKING
GARAGES WE MADE FUTURING THREE D LIGHTER SCANS HERE. THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SENSORS FOR AUTONOMOUS DRIVING. ONE OF THE OTHER BIG TELLING KNOWLEDGE THAT GETS USED IS
CAMERAS TO GIVE YOU A VISUAL SCENE THEN COMPLEMENT THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE SENIOR ON THE LAST SLIDE. A LOT OF TIMES THE CAMERAS ARE BEING USED TO IDENTIFY PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS, OTHER
ROAD USERS, CARS, TRUCKS, AND MAKE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN TYPES OF ROAD USERS OR AGENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS REALLY HELPFUL TO IDENTIFY LANES, TRAFFIC SIGNS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ROAD TO HELP
YOU UPWHERE YOUR VEHICLE IS RELATIVE TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER SENSORS THAT ARE USED IN AUTONOMOUS DRIVING. RADAR GIVES YOU A MUCH COARSER UNDERSTANDING OF OBJECTS. SPENCER MIGHT SAY THERE IS AN
OBJECT IN FRONT OF YOU, THE RADAR WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THAT AS SEVERAL PEOPLE WALKING TOGETHER. THE CAMERA AND LIGHTER MAY FILL IN THAT INFORMATION AT A MUCH FINER LEVEL OF RESOLUTION. THE PICTURE ON THE RIGHT I HAVE
JUST A DIAGRAM FROM ONE OF THE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE RESEARCH GROUPS FOCUSED ON 4 AREA. YOU CAN SEE A NUMBER OF SENSORS, RADARS POSITIONED AROUND THE VEHICLE AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO GET THE BEST VIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE VEHICLE, NOT
HAVE ANY BLIND SPOTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REAL POTENTIAL UP SIDES OF THE TECHNOLOGY. AS HUMAN DRIVERS WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE EVERYTHING AT EVERY MONTH. THERE WILL BE BLIND SPOTS.
STILL YOU MAY NOT SEE SOMETHING ONCOMING WHERE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY WITH A SELF-DRIVING CAR TO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE BLIND SPOTS. YOU CAN ANTICIPATE THINGS FURTHER AHEAD THAN WHAT A HUMAN DRIVER COULD. IN TERMS OF DECISION MAKING THAT'S ONE OF THE NEXT QUESTIONS
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT. ONCE YOUR VEHICLE HAS USED ITS SENSORS TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND IT AND KNOW WHERE IT IS IN ITS LANE, ON WHAT STREET, IT NEEDS TO MAKE A DECISION WHERE TO DRIVE NEXT OR WHAT COMMANDS
TO SEND TO THE VEHICLE. SHOULD YOU PRESS THE THROTTLE, PRESS THE BRAKE, HOW HARD AND HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THOSE ARE THE CONTROLS FOR THE VEHICLE. SO THE WAY THESE SYSTEMS WORK A
CAR WILL ESTIMATE WHERE IT IS, WHERE IT WANTS TO GO, THEN THEY WILL DESIGN A PATH OR TRAJECTORY THAT CONSIDERS ALL THE OTHER OBJECTS OR OTHER AGENTS AS WELL AS RULES OF THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE IT COMES TO -- DECIDES A
PATH THAT IS COLLISION FREE. WON'T BUMP INTO ANYBODY, NOT ET TOO CLOSE TO ANYONE ELSE APPEARED WILL RESPECT THE RULES OF THE ROAD. THOSE ARE THE MAIN CONSIDERATIONS THAT GO INTO DESIGNING THAT PAST. THERE ARE SMALLER EFFECTS AS A COMPANY STARTS TO THINK ABOUT
DELIVERING A SERVICE LIKE RIDER COMFORT, LIKE GETTING TO THE DESTINATION QUICKLY. THOSE BECOME FACTORS BUT THOSE ARE SECONDARY AFTER ALL THE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.
SOMETIMES THESE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES PEOPLE COMPLAIN THEY ARE TOO SAFE, TO CAUTIOUS. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO GO INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING POTENTIALLY RISKY. IF YOU'RE THE PASSENGER YOU MAY RATHER HAVE A HUMAN DRIVER WILLING TO TAKE THE RISKS.
THAT'S A QUESTION EVERYONE HAS TO THINK ABOUT DIFFERENTLY. SO I'LL CLOSE WITH A COUPLE STATISTICS THAT I JUST GRABBED FROM WAY MO'S WEBSITE. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE
LEADERS. THE TWO OF THEM AND TESLA ARE THE MOST COMMONLY TALKED MR. SELF-DRIVING ROBO TAXIS BEING DEPLOYED IN VARIOUS CITIES. FROM ARE OTHERS. I FEEL LIKE THOSE ARE TOP OF
PEOPLE'S MINDS. WAY MO IS VERY I FIND THEM VERY TRANSPARENT WITH THEIR STATISTICS. YOU CAN GO TO THEIR WEBSITE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDE. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE 9600
MILES OF RIDER ONLY MILES DREFN. THAT'S A LARGE NUMBER JUST A FEW YEARS AGO A SMALL FRACTION OF THAT. THEY HAVE DRIVEN ABOUT 30 MILLION MILES IN SAN FRANCISCO, MAYBE 3 MILLION IN AUSTIN AND SO
THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT EXPANDING THAT LIST. THERE'S JUST FOUR CITIES THAT I GRABBED FROM THEIR WEBSITE. IN TERMS OF THE TECHNOLOGY WE THINK IS USEFUL I THINK THEY ARE
STARTING TO TO BE EVIDENCE. THERE'S CAVEATS ITH THESE CLAIMS WHEN IT COMES FROM THE COMPANY THAT IS ALSO TRYING TO PUSH A PRODUCT SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE EAD THINGS WITH A CLOSE EYE. YOU START TO LOOK AT NUMBERS
LIKE L 0% FEWER INJURY CAUSING CRASHES AS COMPARED TO A HUMAN DRIVER OVER THE SAME DISTANCES. I THINK SOME OF THE NUMBERS ARE STARTING TO BE PRETTY OMPELLING IN TERMS OF UP SIDE OF WHAT THIS TECHNOLOGY CAN OFFER WHICH HAS
BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME AND IS NOW STARTING TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN. I DON'T WANT TO OVERLY CONVEY THE TECHNOLOGY IS TOTALLY PERFECT. THERE'S LIMITATIONS AND I LISTED SOME ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
SOME OF THE IMITATIONS THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ARE IN THE UPPER LEFT I HAVE AN IMAGE OF THE COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER DRIVERS. VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE.
AS HUMANS A WE MAY USE NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION, HAND WAVES, EYE CONTACT. WE DO THIS POTENTIALLY WITH PED SAN FRANCISCO AND CYCLISTS, MAKE EYE CONTACT, THAT'S ALMOST NOT POSSIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE.
WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT NEW WAYS OF HAVING THESE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND PEOPLE OR VEHICLES CREATED AND PRODUCED BY GIVEN COMPANIES. THAT'S A BIG OPEN AREA. ANOTHER ONE THAT IS SUPER
RELEVANT IS DEALING WITH SNOW. YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED ON THE LIST OF CITIES THAT THESE COMPANIES ARE DEPLOYING THEIR VEHICLES IN THEY ARE STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN TO HAVE WONDERFUL WEATHER YEAR ROUND. BOSTON E DON'T QUITE HAVE THAT LUXURY.
SNOW IS A BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF THESE MODALITIES I MENTIONED EARLIER. THE SNOW CAN OCCLUDE CENTERS, OCCLUDE WHAT YOU CAN SEE IN TERMS OF LINES ON THE ROAD. IT COULD BE THAT ON SNOWY DAYS IT MAKES SENSE THESE COMPANIES
CAN'T PROVIDE THE SERVICE YET. THAT MIGHT BE A TOTALLY VALID BASED ANSWER, BUT IT'S NOT THERE YET IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH FOG AND AND SNOW AND OTHER TYPES OF WEATHER
CONSIDERATIONS OTHER THAN SUNNY CALIFORNIA WEATHER. IN TERMS F OTHER PICTURES ON SLIDE FOR CURRENT LIMITATIONS, RARE EVENT WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THE STATE THEY ARE OFTEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY CALL THE LONG TAIL WHICH IS ALL THESE RARE EVENTS.
BACK IN SCHOOL, THE BELL CURVE, THE BELL CURVES GOES ON FOREVER. REALLY EXTREME EVENTS THAT ALMOST NEVER HAPPEN. SOME VERY SMALL PROBABILITY THAT IT COULD HAPPEN. UH THIS IS A CAR DRIVING WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF SHEEP THAT HAS
SWARMED IT. IN BOSTON THAT'S PRETTY UNLIKELY. IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY MAYBE THAT COULD HAPPEN. UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN OR DEALT WITH A SCENARIO LIKE THAT MAYBE AS HUMANS WE HAVE REASONING ABILITY TO MAKE DECISION HOW TO ANSWER.
MAYBE SLOW DOWN, STOP, BUT THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR SELF-DRIVING CARS. A LOT OF THE NEWS STORIES WHERE THINGS O WRONG IT'S BECAUSE SOMETHING REALLY RARE THAT HAPPENS. IT DIDN'T MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I THINK HE LAST HING ON THE
BOTTOM LEFT IS A PICTURE THERE'S BEEN A WHOLE BUNCH OF INCIDENTS WITH AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN THE LAST TEN YEARS AS HEY HAVE BEEN CONSUMER TRUST.ND MORE. SHOULD WE TRUST THESE VEHICLES YET AND SHOULD WE TRUST THE COMPANIES PUTTING OUT THESE
VEHICLES. THOSE ARE BOTH QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE ON THEIR OWN AS WELL AS IN GROUPS AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS LIKE THIS. THAT'S THE END OF MY LAST SLIDE. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS FROM
ANYONE AND SHARE ANY THOUGHTS. >> OKAY. ANYBODY ON THE ADVISORY BOARD THE PRESENTER? OR COMMENTS FOR >> THIS IS CARL.
>> GO AHEAD, CARL. >> FIRST I'M SORRY, WAS SOMEBODY ELSE SPEAKING? >> NO. GO AHEAD. >> I THANK YOU, DOCTOR, FOR DOING THIS PRESENTATION AND PRESENTING BOTH SIDES.
I'M THE ONE THAT REQUESTED THAT WE HAVE A PRESENTATION ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES BECAUSE THE CITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY BANNING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES. I AS A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
WILL HAVE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE MANY COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE OF THE BOSTON FOOTPRINT DO NOT FUND REGIONAL TRANSIT ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE ITH DISABILITIES HAVE ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTH CARE,
EDUCATION AND MORE. I AGREE THAT WE STILL NEED TO DO SOME WORK BUT I THINK THE UPSIDE IS HUGE. PEOPLE DOING CO-OP RARDZ, SHARING CARS, TOWN CENTERS MAY AFFORD AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
GIVING THE PRESENTATION SO WE CAN ALL LEARN TOGETHER AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ALONG THE WAY. >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. I THINK YOU RAISED IMPORTANT ISSUES.
THERE'S IT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON A LOT OF LIVES. I'M ACTIVELY WORKING ON SOME OF THESE CHALLENGING LIMITATIONS AND I'M AN SEE WHERE IT'S GOING.
>> THIS IS HEALTH CARE MATTER SAID BY A NEUROLOGIST. >> I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT. >> I CAN SHARE THAT TO ANDREA AND SHE CAN SHARE IT ITH YOU. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, CARL.
ANYBODY ELSE? >> THIS IS ANDREA, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME TAKING A MOMENT. >> GO AHEAD. >> I WANT TO LOWER YOUR SCREEN DOWN.
OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE HAD ROBO TAXIS HERE AND I'M CURIOUS IF THERE ANYONE THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO SELL THESE AS PERSONALITY VEHICLES AT THIS TIME. I KNOW THAT TEN EARS AGO THAT WAS A QUESTION IS IT GOING TO BECOME A ROBO TAXI OR INDIVIDUAL
VEHICLE. DO THOSE CHEST ON THE ROAD? >> TODAY, NO. WE DON'T HAVE ANY -- YOU CAN'T GO AND BUY A FULLY SELF-DRIVING -- OKAY. WHAT I WOULD CALL A FULLY
SELF-DRIVING LEVEL 4, LEVEL 5 CAR YOU CAN TAKE YOUR AND OFF THE WHEEL AND IT WILL DO MPG. THAT DOESN'T EXIST YET IN TERMS OF SOMETHING YOU CAN BUY. A LOT OF THE COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION THAT THESE ARE SPECIALIZED PIECES OF
EQUIPMENT. THEY WILL MANAGE THEM AND HAVE A FLEET. THEN THEY WILL NOT THAT DISSIMILAR FROM A RIDE SHARE SERVICE DRIVING IEN HUMANS YOU CAN RESPECT A PRIDE FROM THEM
AND THEY CAN SUPPLY THE SERVICE. I DON'T SEE IT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WEIGHT YOU WANT TO PUT INTO MY PREDICTION BUT I THINK THERE ARE MORE AND MORE ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTED
SERVICES, LEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3 IN TERMS OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF HOW AUTONOMOUS IT IS, FOR THOSE YOU CAN BUY. I THINK THE CARS YOU CAN BUY TODAY ARE QUITE A BIT MORE CAPABLE.
A LOT OF THEM WILL HAVE THINGS TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE STILL PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEY WON'T LET YOU SWITCH INTO THAT MODE PERMANENTLY. >> THANK YOU. >> I THINK AT THE SAME TIME WHEN I SAY SELF-DRIVING TESLA WILL
ADVERTISE A PRODUCT CALLED SELF-DRIVING WHICH TO ME IS NOT ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT IS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT THE TECHNOLOGY TAKES FOR S TODAY.
>> OKAY. AM I MISSING ANY HANDS? >> YES, I THINK SO. >> PAUL. >> GO AHEAD, PAUL. >> YES I'M JUST CURIOUS ON THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES. IS THERE A TIME LIMIT TO EXIT
THE VEHICLE SAY MYSELF AND A PASSENGER OR SECOND PERSON, CAN YOU GET OUT AND LEAVE OR DO YOU HAVE O PRESS CERTAIN BUTTONS? HOW DOES THAT WORK? >> YEAH. THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN ANY COMPANY'S VEHICLE ABOUT HOW YOU
CAN STAY. I NEED TO GET OUT. I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN GIVE A GOOD ANSWER YET. >> THANK YOU. >> I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION FROM
THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. I SEE A COMMISSIONER FIRST. >> I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING YOU MENTIONED NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION. I ALMOST NEVER CROSS THE STREET UNTIL I MAKE EYE CONTACT.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO OVERCOME THAT CHALLENGE? I KNOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES USE IT IN GENERAL. A FRIEND OF MINE USED TO WORK IN THIS FIELD AS WELL AND HE SAID
THAT IF YOU'RE ON THE ROAD UNLESS YOU HAVE A STOP SIGN ON IT. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT? HOW THAT IMPACTS? >> ABSOLUTELY. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.
I THINK THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HAVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND PEOPLE. IT JUST HASN'T BEEN THE FOCUS YET. THEY ARE TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT HAVING TO EXPLICITLY HAVE COMMUNICATION. WE ALREADY HAVE SOME METHODS.
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR TURN SIGNALS ON, ONE LEVEL OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION. YOU CAN IMAGINE SELF-DRIVING CARS BEING REQUIRED TO GIVE A DIRECTION OF WHERE THEY PLAN TO GO.
IF YOU ARE A PASSENGER THERE'S USUALLY A DISPLAY. YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE CAR THINKS IS GOING ON. SEE THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT THINKS IT IS IN THE LANE AS WELL AS FUTURE PLANNED PATH. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO BE THINKING
ABOUT WAYS THAT CAN BE CONVEYED TO PEOPLE THAT AREN'T IN THE CAR. YOU CAN'T HAVE LIKE A TV SCREEN TO UNDERSTAND BUT ALMOST LIKE I'M ABOUT TO DRIVE. I'M ABOUT TO MOVE. AT LEAST GIVE THAT LEVEL OF
INDICATION. >> DOES THE CAR HONK THE HORN? >> THEY CAN. ACTUALLY THERE'S A SORT OF WILD NEW STORY A FEW MONTHS BACK OF A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HONKING THEIR
HORNS AT EACH OTHER. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE THEIR ORN. I AGREE THAT COULDING ANOTHER MODALITY WHERE YOU COULD START TO COMMUNICATE. I THINK THAT COULD BE A WAY JUST VIR MUCH LIKE A ON ON OR OFF.
IT'S PRETTY JARRING. YOU DON'T WANT TO USE IT TOO MUCH. THERE'S MAYBE OTHER WAYS YOU COULD IMAGINE A CAR TALKING TO PEDESTRIANS. I'M ABOUT TO GO. THAT'S COULD BE REALLY NICE IF DONE IN A CLEAN WAY.
>> I HOPE 'M REPRESENTING QUESTIONS OTHERS HAVE. YOU MENTIONED THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE]
NOT AFFECTED BY A SENSOR. THEY STUDY HEIGHTS AND DIFFERENT SIZES. WE HAVE CHILDREN, LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN A STANDARD PEDESTRIAN WOULD BE. IF THEY ARE WALKING SLOWER.
I AGREE WITH CARL, TECHNOLOGY COULD BE REVOLUTIONARY FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DRIVE BUT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES. >> YES. ALL OF THE COMPANIES HAVE ENTIRE TEAMS OF PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT
EXACTLY WHATS POSITION AND WHAT ANGLE, WHAT ORIENTATION TO PLACE ALL THE SENSORS TO GET THE BEST UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S AROUND THEM. I DON'T KNOW OF SPECIFIC RESEARCH OR EXAMPLES OF TEAMS
WORKING ON AKING SURE THEY CAN SEE PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN HEIGHTS, FOR INSTANCE. I COULD MAYBE LOOK MORE AT THAT IF THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF TEST CASES THAT THE COMPANIES WILL GO THROUGH ON TEST TRACKS.
THEY WILL HAVE OBJECTS OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND CONFIRM THEY CAN DETECT THEM AS WELL AS IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION AS WELL. >> SO WES ASKED YOU MENTIONED THE ISSUE OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER DRIVERS BUT ARE THEY ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH
PASSENGERS AND IF SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS? >> WITH COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE VEHICLES AND THE PASSENGERS THERE ARE OFTENTIMES TV SCREENS IN THE CAR THAT WILL DISPLAY WHAT THE CAR THINKS IN TERMS OF
HERE ARE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, HERE ARE THE PLAN OF THE PATH THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO TAKE AS WELL AS MAYBE STOP SIGNS THAT IT HAD DETECTED, DIFFERENT TRAFFIC SIGNS. SO THERE'S THAT WAY TO SHOW VISUALLY TO PASSENGERS THAT WILL
BE THE MAIN MODALITY THAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR. >> HOW THE CAR CAN COMMUNICATE WITH BLIND PEOPLE? BLIND PEOPLE WOULD TALK TO YOUR PHONE. IF YOU USED A WAY MO ONE APPEAR
IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT INTERSECTION YOU'RE CROSSING. YOU CAN VEN CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR, PICK THE MUSIC, DO THE ENVIRONMENT CONTROLS. IF IT DROPS YOU OFF BECAUSE IT CAN'T DROP YOU OFF SAFELY AND
DROP YOU OFF A BLOCK AWAY THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW TO WALK TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING. THAT'S QUITE A BIT OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE PASSENGERS. >> THROUGH THE APP, RIGHT, CARL?
THROUGH THE APP THAT YOU HAVE? >> FOR THE WAY MO APP CONNECTED WITH MAY MO. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT TESLA OR EMOTIONAL OR OTHER COMPANIES. I KNOW BASED ON WHAT AND I DON'T REALLY CARE WHICH COMPANY DOES,
I'M MENTIONING WAY MO BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONE I'M FAMILIAR WITH. THE POTENTIAL IS THERE THROUGH THE APP TO TALK TO THE CAR AND COMMUNICATE BACK AND FORTH. I KNOW FORESIGHTED PEOPLE THERE'S A DISPLAY IN THE BACK SEAT THAT GIVES ALL THE
INFORMATION AND CONTROLS I JUST MENTIONED. YOU CAN SEEN IF IF YOU ARE DISABLED SAY PLEASE DON'T PICK ME UP TOO FAR FROM WHERE I'M STANDING. THAT SORT OF THING.
>> SO CLOSING OUT, I ACTUALLY HAD A REALLY QUICK QUESTION HOW DO THE CARS RESPOND TO REFLECTIVE SUCH AS ON WHITE KING
AND OTHER DEVICES? >> REALLY GREAT QUESTION. SO THE SENSORS ARE GREAT AT DETECTING THE REFLECTIVE PAINT ON THE ROAD OR BEING ABLE TO
JUMP OUT CLEARLY IDENTIFY HERE ARE THE LANE LINES. IT'S GREAT BECAUSE YOU GET A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF REFLECTIVITY. THESE SENSORS CAN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT COMING BACK TO THEM SO
THEY CAN TELL HOW STRONG WILL IT WAS REFLECTING BACK. LIGHTNESS VERSUS TARKNESS. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EXAMPLES OF HOW WELL THESE ARE IN PARTICULAR WITH REFLECTIVE PAINT BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THE FACT IT'S
REFLECTING IS A POSITIVE THING FOR THE SENSOR'S ABILITY TO PICK IT UP. THERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION FOR SMALL OBJECTS AS YOU GET FURTHER AWAY FROM THE SENSOR THEIR RESOLUTION GETS WORSE AND WORSE. SO AS YOU'RE FAR WAY IT MAY OR
MAY NOT PICK UP SOMETHING. THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION WORTH THINKING MORE ABOUT. >> HAT'S GREAT. NOT SEEING ANY OTHER HANDS OR
QUESTIONS. >> DOCTOR, IF WE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AND THE NORTHEAST IS DOING HOW WOULD WE LOOK THAT UP? >> MY RESEARCH GROUP AT NORTHEASTERN IS CALLED THE AUTONOMY AND INTELLIGENCE LAB. IF YOU LOOK US UP ON GOOGLE
YOU'LL FIND MY WEBSITE. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF -- A DESCRIPTION IN TEXT ON THE MAIN PAGE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AS WELL AS OUR RESEARCH PAPERS IF YOU'RE INTERESTED N THAT ARE ON THE WEBSITE.
ALL THE PEOPLE, STUDENTS, POST DOCS ARE LISTED AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. >> ALL RIGHT.
MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA, IT IS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTIONS PROCEDURE OVERVIEW. >> I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THIS,
OLIVIA. >> PLEASE DO. >> GREAT. SO JUST A QUICK NOTE FOR I THINK EVERYONE HAS BEEN THROUGH THIS AT LEAST NCE BUT A REMINDER THAT OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
POSITIONS ARE ONE YEAR TERMS. WITH A THREE YEAR TERM AS A BOARD MEMBER SO WE DO ELECTIONS EVERY YEAR. WE HAVE FOUR POSITIONS, CHAIR, THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO SET THE AGENDA, CHAIR THE MEETING,
CREATE SOME COMMITTEES. THE VICE-CHAIR ROLE TO IS TO HELP THE CHAIR WITH THAT. AS OLIVIA IS DOING TODAY ACTUALLY RUNNING THE MEETING SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. WE HAVE A SECRETARY AND TREASURER WHICH ARE WONDERFUL
POSITIONS. YOU TAKE CARE OF THE MONEY WHICH YOU DON'T HAVE. [LAUGHTER] >> CARL LOVES THAT. TO MAKE THE MEETINGMENTS WHICH AGAIN YOU'RE LUCKY THE OFFICE
DOES A GREAT JOB AT IT. THEY HELP SET THE AGENDA, SET THE PRIORITIES OF THE BOARD AND AT TIMES LEND AN EXTRA EFFORT FOR THINGS LIKE THE LETTERS THAT YOU ALL WRITE AND SEND TO
LEGISLATORS. THOSE ARE THE FOUR POSITIONS. WE TAKE NOMINATIONS IN JANUARY AND A VOTE IN FEBRUARY. ANY MEMBER CAN NOMINATE ANY OTHER MEMBER. OR THEMSELVES SHOULD YOU WISH TO NOMINATE YOURSELF. IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE
DOING THAT, UNDERSTOOD, YOU CAN CONTACT COMMISSIONER MCCOSH. SHE IS TECHNICALLY A MEMBER BUT SHE CAN DO THAT NOMINATION FOR YOU. I KNOW IT CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE PUTTING YOURSELF IN THAT POSITION. WE'LL BE TAKING THOSE
NOMINATIONS AT THE JANUARY MEETING WHICH I DON'T HAVE IT FOR YOU YET. BE THINKING OF THAT OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND LET US KNOW
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. >> THERE'S HALF HOUR MEETING OVER ZOOM ONCE A MONTH. THAT IS PLUS IF THERE'S ANY
EMAIL BACK AND ORTH OVER SIGNING A LETTER OR LANGUAGE THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE FULL BOARD SAYING USUALLY RUN IT BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BEFORE IT'S BROUGHT UP AS AN
AGENDA ITEM. SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE AS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE HAIR'S REPORT. DID JERRY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT? >> YES, HE DID.
YOU GET TO HEAR FROM ME A LITTLE LONGER. JERRY IS ON BUT NOT IN A POSITION TO COME OFF MUTE. NO WORRIES. I'LL BE A VOICE TODAY. A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR. GRATITUDE AND FUTURE LEADERSHIP. I'M SORRY NOT TO CHAIR THIS LAST
MEETING OF THE YEAR BUT I'M JUST GETTING HOME FROM MEDICAL TREATMENT AND AM UNDER HE WEATHER. THANK YOU, OLIVIA, FOR LEADING TONIGHT'S MEETING AND I WILL PARTICIPATE AS MUCH AS I CAN WHILE LISTENING IN. IT'S MY CONTINUED HONOR TO HELP
LEAD SUCH A STRONG GROUP OF ADVOCATES ON THE DISABILITY COMMISSION ADVISORY BOARD. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK THIS PAST YEAR. AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE NEW YEAR, ELECTIONS FOR NEW BOARD
LEADERSHIP ARE APPROACHING I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER STEPPING UP INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE. WE'LL DISCUSS THIS MORE THOROUGHLY AT OUR JANUARY MEETING. IN THE MEANTIME IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE ROLES OF CHAIR OR VICE-CHAIR, TREASURER
OR SECRETARY ENTAIL FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO MYSELF, ANY CURRENT MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR ANDREA. SECOND, IN MEMORIAM HONORING CHAMPIONS OF DISABILITY RIGHTS. WE PAUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROFOUND LOSSES OUR COMMUNITY
HAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED WITH THE PASSING OF TWO GIANTS IN THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATE LICE LONG AND BELOVED LOCAL ADVOCATE APPEARED FORMER
CHAIR JOHN KELLY. ALICE WAS A VISIONARY ADVOCATE, WRITER AND FOUNDER OF THE DISABILITY VISIBILITY PROJECT
GETTING DISABLED VOICES AND CULTURE. HER MORE YEAR OF THE TIGER HAS PROFOUNDLY SHIFTED HOWDIESABILITY IS DECIDED AND PERCEIVED NATIONWIDE. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR ALICE SPEAK AT THE BOSTON CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING MARIE SULLENBERGER TON AWARDS SERMON AND HER PASSION WAS TRULY INSPIRING. JOHN KELLY WAS A PASSIONATE
ADVOCATE WHOSE LOCAL LEADERSHIP INCLUDING HIS TAME AS CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY BOARD MADE A TANKIN DIFFERENCE IN BOSTONIANS WITH DISABILITIES. HE WAS A LEADER IN THE MOVEMENT
AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE CHAMPIONING AT THE RIEBILITY OF DISABILITY PEOPLE TO RECEIVE FULLY FUNDED HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES. I'M SURE OUR COMMISSIONER WILL SPEAK FURTHER TO JOHN'S
IMPACTFUL ADVOCACY DURING HIS TEN YEARS AS CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY BOARD. WE HONOR THEIR LEGACIES BY REAFFIRMING OUR DEDICATION TO THE ONGOING SIGHT FOR ET WIT AND JUSTICE.
THIRD AND FINALLY, UPHOLDING THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED. THE DPER SIZE OF OUR RIGHT TO VOTE IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND A CRUCIAL WAY IN WHICH ALL
CITIZENS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD. AS CHAIR I MUST REPORT TO THE BOARD ON THE UNACCEPTABLE BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS INCLUDING MYSELF AND OLIVIA DURING THE RECENT ELECTION. WE FACED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AT POLLING PLACES DUE FOR LACK
OF TRAINING. POLL WORKERS APPEARED UNEDUCATED AND UNINFORMED FOR ASSISTING VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES IN USING THE AUTO MARK MACHINE. SYSTEMIC FAILURE ELECTION DEPARTMENT STAFF FAILED TO
PROPERLY SOLVE THE ISSUE RESULTING IN FRUSTRATION AND DIDISENFRANCHISEMENT FOR VOTERS. ANDREA HAS HELD DISCUSSIONS AND THIS ISSUE WAS A MAJOR POINT OF CONVERSATION AT OUR RECENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.
I HAVE RAISED THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY WITH CITY COUNCILORS AND WITH THE MAYOR. THE CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT -- NO LONGER MEETS MODERN STANDARDS
FOR ACCESSIBILITY. A PATH FORWARD. I IMPLORE THIS BOARD TO MAKE VOTING ACCESSIBILITY OUR BIGGEST PRIORITY GOING FORWARD. WE MUST ACHIEVE TWO GOALS.
IMPROVEMENT.ATE TRAINING IMPLEMENT MANDATORY RIGOROUS AND PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR ALL POLL WORKERS ON ASSISTING VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES ENSURING THE CORRECT USE OF THE AUTO MARK MACHINE.
TWO, TECHNOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION. ADVOCATE STRONGLY WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OLYMPIA TO ALLOW THE CITY TO PILOT OR ADOPT MODERN ACCESSIBLE VOTING TECHNOLOGY THAT MOST BEYOND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE AUTO MARK MACHINE.
IN A CLIMATE WHERE SOME ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO SILENCE THE VOICES OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, WE MUST FIGHT BACK BY ENSURING THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN FREELY AND EASILY EXERCISE OUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON EVERY ELECTION DAY.
THANK YOU. I WISH ALL OF YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON. >> THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. >> THANK YOU, OLIVIA. IT'S GOOD TIMING BECAUSE TO GIVE MY REPORT WE HAVE A GUEST WITH US.
COMMISSIONER PAUL CHONG, COMMISSIONER OF CITY RECORDS AND ALSO THE REGISTRAR. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING. WELCOME. WE HEARD THE REPORT AND HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
I WOULD LOVE TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] SPECIFIC THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAPPENED AND A PATH FORWARD.
>> HELLO. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MCCOSH. MY NAME IS PAUL CHUNG. I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY.
AS THE CITY LOOKS TO CELEBRATE THE 250th YEAR OF OUR COUNTRY I THINK THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO TALK ABOUT HOW CRITICAL ACCESS TO VOTING IS.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO START BY PROVIDING A LITTLE -- AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S ELECTION AND WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING THEN I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH THE AUTO MARK MACHINE IN PARTICULAR, THEN
DISCUSS WAYS THAT WE CAN COLLABORATE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE KIND OF ACCESS TO THE POLLS THAT THEY DESERVE. SO AS YOU ARE AWARE IN NOVEMBER
OF 2024, THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF BALLOTS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN FEBRUARY F 2025 ISSUED AN ORDER. I'M GOING TO SHARE MY SCREEN, ANDREA, AND COMMISSIONER MCCOSH, I CAN WORK WITH YOU TO
DISTRIBUTE THE MATERIALS BUT I WILL TRY TO READ THE RELEVANT QUESTION AS I SHARE MY SCREEN HERE.
GIVE ME ONE SECOND. HERE WE GO. SO THIS IS THE ORDER FROM THE
THE ORDER IS SOMETHING THAT IS LEGALLY BINDING TO THE CITY. WOE WERE ORDERED O DELIVER TO EACH POLLING LOCATION APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF BALLOTS. WE WERE ORDERED TO DEVELOP A
COMMUNICATION PLAN AND HAVE REDUNDANT MODES OF COMMUNICATION WE HAVE TO PROVIDE DETAILS ABOUT HOW WE WOULD CONTACT THE POLLING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE WOULD HAVE TO REVAMP OUR
TRAINING PROGRAM ENTIRELY AND PROVIDE A PLAN FOR ELECTION DAY ADMINISTRATION. THE SECRETARY APPOINTED A DESIGNEE TO ASSIST THE ELECTION
DEPARTMENT, AND POST THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. THERE WAS IN THIS ORDER IT SAID AFTER THE 2026 ELECTION A REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED REGARDING ELECTION PRACTICES OF THE CITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AGREEMENT APPEARED ORDER SHALL
BE EXTENDED. WE HAVEN'T HEARD AN UPDATE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE BUT WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH AND WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE ELECTIONS SUCCESSFUL.
SO THAT IS THE BACKGROUND OF HOW I STARTED MY TENURE WORKING WITH THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT. THAT'S IN FEBRUARY. SO BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY AND REALLY THE BEGINNING OF MARCH WE
REVAMPED OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE APPROXIMATELY 1800 TO 2,000 POLL ORKERS HAT WE HIRE FOR EACH PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL ELECTION. WE DEVELOPED NEW SYSTEMS.
WE IMPLEMENTED FOR EXAMPLE A CALL CENTER ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE CITY ELECTION DEPARTMENT THAT TRACKS THE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS RECEIVED WHERE THEY WERE RECEIVED FROM. WE ALSO DEVELOPED DATABASE OR
TICKET SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE, POLL WORKERS AND STAFF, COULD REPORT ISSUES AND WE COULD TRACK HOW THEY RESOLVED THEM. WE HAD A PLAN FOR HOW TO DISTRIBUTE BALLOTS AND ALL THESE
THINGS WERE IN ADDITION TO ROLLING OUT THE USE OF ELECTRONIC POLL PADS. THESE HELP MAKE OUR CHECKING PROCESS A LITTLE MORE EFFICIENT. INFORMATION LIKE HOW MANY
BALLOTS DO WE HAVE ON HAND, HOW MANY VOTERS HAD CHECKED IN. NOW, THIS IS ALL CONTEXT FOR SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE DID ENCOUNTER ON ELECTION DAY. SO I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME DATA
WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT ELECTION DAY LOOKED LIKE FOR US IN REVIEW. NOW WE HAVEN'T FINISHED ANALYZING ALL THIS DATA. A LOT OF THESE THINGS, ALMOST ALL OF THE THINGS I MENTIONED ARE NEW TO THE CITY.
SO FACT THAT WE HAD TO CHANGE OUR PROCEDURES FOR 2,000 POLL WORKERS IN A PERIOD OF A FEW MONTHS WITH NEW EQUIPMENT WAS A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE
GOING TO WORK IN THE LONG TERM TO MAKE SURE THAT E CAN CONTINUOUSLY TRAIN AND UPDATE OUR POLL WORKERS. BUT AS YOU WILL SEE WE DID COLLECT FEEDBACK.
I WILL SHARE SOME DATA WITH YOU HERE. THESE ARE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE IMPLEMENTED THIS ELECTION CYCLE WERE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES FOR POLL WORKERS. SO WHAT TO DO IF THEY -- IF YOU
HAVE AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE, FOR EXAMPLE. THAT WILL FACTOR IN LATER AS WE TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE AUTO MARK MACHINE BUT THIS GIVES YOU A SENSE OF THE SYSTEMS THAT WE MODERNIZED, THE WAY WE TRIED
TO EMPOWER OUR STAFF. WE REDID OUR TRAINING AND HOW WERE TRYING TO USE DATA AND FEEDBACK FROM KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND VOTERS TO MAKE ELECTIONS BETTER.
WE USED 274 NEW POLL PADS AND ANY TIME YOU ROLL OUT NEW TECHNOLOGY ONE OF THE ISSUES FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU HAVE EVER BALLOTED WITH WI-FI ON YOUR I-PADS OR LAPTOPS CONNECTIVITY
CAN BE A REAL ISSUE. WE'RE PROUD TO WORK TO ENSURE THERE WERE NO CONNECTIVITY ISSUES BETWEEN THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT AND ANY OF OUR POLLING LOCATIONS. OUR CALLS WERE QUICKLY ANSWERED
BOTH FROM POLL WORKERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. OUR POLL WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS WERE WELL TRAINED. THEY APPRECIATED THE RESOURCES AND WE'RE COLLECTING INFORMATION AND ATHERING FEEDBACK NOW BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE'S ALWAYS
ROOM TO IMPROVE. THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. SO THIS IS SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE SAW POSITIVE FEEDBACK. WE'RE COLLATING THIS DATA AND
WE'RE REALLY GOING TO SPEND THE NEXT IN THE RUN-UP TO CONGRESSIONAL MIDTERMS NEXT YEAR THE GOAL IS TO TAKE FEEDBACK AND TURN IT INTO OPERATIONS AND CHANGE.
SO I WANT FOLKS ON THIS CALL TO KNOW THAT I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE RAISED BECAUSE WE WANT TO FIX THINGS. TWO EXAMPLES THAT I HAVE, SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE TRIED TO
INCORPORATE BETWEEN EVEN THE SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER ELECTIONS WERE THERE WAS A POLLING LOCATION, A CHURCH, IT WAS PRECINCT 3, WARD 9.
THE ELEVATOR THERE HAD BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION SINCE 2022. WHEN IT FIRST BECAME A POLLING LOCATION IT WASN'T ACCESSIBLE. THE POLL WORKERS HAD RAISED THIS AS A CONCERN AND WE WERE ABLE TO
MOVE THE POLLING LOCATION TO THE WEST END COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH IS MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE. WE ALSO HEARD A REQUEST FOR MORE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES FOR POLL FROM ONE OFFINGERS SUCH AS WHAT
TO DO AND WE ISSUED A PROVISIONAL BALLOT OR WHEN WE NEED A VOTER TO CONFIRM THEIR RESIDENCY. SO WE'RE PLANNING TO MAKE MORE OF THOSE.
CERTAINLY WOULD APPRECIATE PARTNERING WITH THIS BOARD AND COMMISSIONER MCCOSH AND HER TEAM TO WORK ON THOSE MATERIALS.
SO I WON'T GO THROUGH TOO MUCH. THERE WAS ALWAYS TRAINING FOR POLL WORKERS, BUT THE POLL WORKERS ARE -- THE TRAINING
RESONANCE HAS BEEN REMOTE PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF COVID BUT ALSO IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE FOR POLL WORKERS TO TAKE TIME OFF OR TO TRAVEL TO ATTEND TRAINING. THIS YEAR WE DID MAN TATE IN-PERSON TRAINING FOR POLL
WORKERS AND WE ALSO SENT STAFF INTO NEIGHBORHOOD LOCATIONS TO TRY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR POLL WORKERS TO ATTEND TRAINING. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF ARE THESE ARE EVERY DAY PEOPLE.
MOST DON'T HAVE PAID TIME OFF. WHO WORK FOR A MODEST FEE. SO THE TRAINING IS SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO BE EFFICIENT ABOUT BUT THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT. SO POLL WORKERS FELT LIKE THEY HAD THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED, SO IN SEPTEMBER, 84% FELT THEY HAD THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAD
ANSWERED AND THEN IN NOVEMBER, 92% RESPONDED THAT THEY FELT THEY HAD THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED. WE HAVE A BREAKDOWN. WE RECEIVED ABOUT 800 CALLS ON
ELECTION DAY IN NOVEMBER, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THAT THE WHOLE TIME FOR FOLKS WAS VERY WELL. WHAT WE DID IS WE HAD A SYSTEM
WHERE POLL WORKERS COULD CALL TO SENIOR STAFF IN THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT TO REPORT ISSUES FORM IF AN AUTO MARK MACHINE WENT DOWN. THE AVERAGE TIME FOR SOMEONE O CONNECT WITH A SENIOR MEMBER OF
THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT WAS A MINUTE IN NOVEMBER, LESS THAN A MINUTE. 58 SECONDS. THEN OR CALLS THAT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE ESCALATED TO A SENIOR MEMBER IT WAS SEVEN SECONDS.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT POLL WORKERS TO STAFF IN THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT VERY QUICKLY. THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE ALWAYS RESOLVED EVERY ISSUE QUICKLY OR PERFECTLY. BUT THE FIRST STEP FOR US AS TO
MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS WOULD BE CONNECTED. SO WE DEPENDED A LOT ON CITY HALL VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE CALLS. THE ELECTION DEPARTMENT IS A VERY SMALL FULL-TIME STAFF,
ABOUT 30 PEOPLE. SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT IN NOVEMBER OF 2024 IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WE HANDLED SOMETHING LIKE 16,000 PHONE CALLS, AND SO TO HAVE 30
FULL-TIME STAFF ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS AND TAKING PHONE CALLS IS CHALLENGING. WE RECRUITED ALMOST 100 CALL TAKERS BECAUSE WE HAD 25 CALL TAKERS AVAILABLE AT ANY DAYTIME
DURING ELECTION DAY. SO THAT WAS THIS PAST YEAR. WE MADE A LOT OF CHANGE IN A VERY SHORT ERIOD OF TIME. BUT WE REALLY ANTICIPATE DOING THAT AGAIN AND WE CAN'T DO THAT
WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. SO TO TALK ABOUT THE AUTO MARK MACHINES AND SOME OF HE ISSUES THAT BOARD CHAIR AND OTHERS EXPERIENCED, HOW WE TREAT ONE
PERSON AND HOW ANY PERSON EXPERIENCES VOTING IS HOW WE TREAT EVERYONE AND A REFLECTION OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND OUR CITY AND OUR VALUES. WE'RE VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THOSE ISSUES DON'T ARISE
AGAIN. NOW THE COMMISSION HEAR ASKED US TO REVIEW THE DATA AND TO STUDY REPORTS THAT HAVE COME IN AND WE'RE WORKING ON THAT NOW. BUT I THINK WHAT WE CAN COMMIT TO YOU IS CHANGING OUR TRAINING.
SO WE HAVE TWO TRAINING SESSIONS FOR OUR COWORKERS WHETHER THEY ARE CLERK OR WARDEN OR JUST REGARDLESS OF THEIR ROLE WE WILL
CERTAINLY MAKE SURE THAT WE SPEND TIME DEVELOPING NEW TRAINING MATERIAL, ADDITIONAL TRAINING MATERIALS. WE'LL REALLY LEAN ON THE EXPERTISE OF COMMISSIONER MCCOSH AND HER TEAM AND CERTAINLY WITH
YOUR INPUT. SO I'M COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THIS REGULAR UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS OF THAT AND SOLICITING YOUR FEEDBACK. SO I KNOW THAT WE HAD ISSUES
WITH THE AUTO MARK MACHINE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE MACHINES ERE FIRST INTRODUCED IN 2003, SO WE ARE NOW HIRING STAFF THAT ARE
YOUNGER THAN THE AUTO MARK MACHINES. THE MAJORITY OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SO FAR THAT ARE RECORDED THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR DATA HAVE TO DO WITH THE MACHINES MALFUNCTIONING.
BUT HERE CERTAINLY IS A TRAINING ELEMENT, SO WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON TEAMS. WE'LL CERTAINLY HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. WE'LL ALSO WORK ON THE TRAINING
TO MAKE SURE THAT WHETHER EURO COWORKER OR AN ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT STAFF YOU UNDERSTAND THE RIGHT WAY TO HELP EVERY TYPE OF VOTER. I DON'T KNOW IF HERE IS A WHOLE LOT MORE DETAIL I CAN DWIF TO
YOU BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. SO COMMISSIONER MCCOSH, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. >> I'M GOING TO PULL DOWN YOUR SCREEN, AUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER. ANDREA, IF YOU WANT TO SHARE MY REPORT I CAN JUST GIVE A FEW
BULLET POINTS. I ONLY HAVE A FEW TO MAKE THEN TURN IT OVER TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS FOR COMMISSIONER CHONG. THE COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT ISSUES THAT WERE REPORTED TO US,
THE AUTO MARK, HOW IT'S OLD TECHNOLOGY, THE EQUIPMENT OFTEN MALFUNCTIONS AND WE HAVE SEEN THERE'S A NEED FOR TRAINING IN THAT SENSE. SO I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION AS FAR AS PROCESS, COMMISSIONER.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PUT SOME INSTRUCTIONS IN WRITING AND HAVE THEM AVAILABLE AT EVERY POLL LOCATION? BECAUSE JUST FOR EASY FIXES FOR THE AUTO MARK. I KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO FIX
EVERYTHING BUT I WONDER WHAT THE TRAINING CONSISTS OF FOR THE >> 100%.K. >> THEN THE OTHER CONCERN THAT WE HEARD WAS WHEN ISSUES WERE ELEVATED TO THE SITUATION ROOM,
RESIDENTS WERE GIVEN INFORMATION ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS THAT FIRST OF ALL DIDN'T FIT THEIR DISABILITY AND SECOND DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. SOME RESIDENTS ACTUALLY WONDERED WHETHER THEIR VOTE WAS EVEN RECORDED WHICH IS OUR WORST CASE
SCENARIO. WAS THERE ANY TRAINING SITUATION ROOM STAFF? YOU SAID THERE WERE CITY HALL VOLUNTEERS. >> SO THE SITUATION ROOM STAFF WENT THROUGH THE SAME TRAINING THAT COWORKERS ARE GIVEN BUT WE
ARE CERTAINLY OPEN TO DOING ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND AGAIN WE'LL BE WORKING WITH YOU ON THAT. >> I KNOW WHEN I FIRST WAS APPOINTED IN MY ROLE I DID A TRAINING WITH THE ELECTIONS
DEPARTMENT. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE COMMISSIONER ABOUT UPDATING THAT NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S OVER TEN YEARS OLD BUT TALKING ABOUT NEWER SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE.
I THINK WE DID IT TOGETHER. WE WILL TAKE THIS UP AND LET YOU KNOW. THE STATE AW ACTUALLY REQUIRES
USE OF THE AUTO MARK AS THE TECHNOLOGY SO WE PLAN TO ADVOCATE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO GET A DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY IF ANY EXIST TO MPROVE THE PROCESS. THAT'S ALL I HAD TO SAY. I'LL TURN IT BACK TO OLIVIA OR
ANDREA IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK. >> I HAVE A QUESTION OF THE COMMISSIONER IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> OF COURSE. >> IS THAT SOMETHING THE CITY OF BOSTON LOOKED AT OR IS IT DEPENDENT ON WHETHER THE
SECRETARY OF STATE RMS THAT AND PURCHASES THAT NEWER EQUIPMENT? >> THE STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFY ELECTION EQUIPMENT THAT'S USED. SO UNTIL WE HAVE THE
CERTIFICATION WE CAN'T USE IT. BUT. >> I WORK FOR THE STATE. THAT'S WHY I SAID THAT. >> I WORKED AT ANF.
>> THAT'S THE SECOND PLACE I WORKED. >> IS THAT IGHT? >> YEAH. >> WELL, IT WAS THE FINANCE DIRECTOR IN THE BUDGET OFFICE FOR A FEW YEARS AND I WORKED AT THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
BUT WE DO VIEW TH THE STATE AS PARTNERS AND HOPEFULLY WITH THEIR ADVOCACY WE CAN MAKE CHANGES. >> I USE THE AUTO MARK AND I WILL SAY NOT ONLY IS THE EQUIPMENT GETTING OLD AND YOU
CAN TELL BUT EVEN THE POLLERS, EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT THE POLL STATIONS YOU CAN TELL ANY PERSON THAT USE IT IS BECAUSE THEY FREAK OUT EVERY TIME I WALK IN. THEY WILL PUT THE HEAD PHONE
JACKS IN THE WRONG JACK. TWO JACKS LOOK SIMILAR. I KNOW ENOUGH BECAUSE I HAVE USED THE MACHINE. I CAN READ THE BRAILLE ON THE MACHINE. I HAVE EDUCATED MYSELF ON THE OPERATION BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT THESE PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITY DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL THE ATTENDEE IT POLL STATION YOU DID THIS WRONG, OU PUT IT IN THE WRONG JACK. NO, YOU NEED TO POWER IT DOWN AND REBOOT IT OR WHATEVER. I KNOW WHAT TO DO, ACTUALLY. WHAT CONCERNS ME ARE THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T THEN THEY MAY MISS
OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE. I THINK COMMISSIONER MCCOSH'S IDEA ON MAYBE A ONE-PAGE LIST IS A GREAT IDEA. >> CARL, CAN I ASK HOW DID YOU
FIND THE AUTO MARK NEX GEN, WORKING WELL? >> YEAH. I TRIED IT OUT AT THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND CONVENTION IN -- OH, DALLAS, TEXAS, LAST
SUMMER. IT LOOKS MORE LIKE AN IPAD. IT TALKS TO THE PRINTER. I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMMISSION HEAR SEEN IT BUT THAT'S MY RECOLLECTION OF IT. IT'S MORE UP TO DATE AND USES
MORE UP TO DATE TECHNOLOGY. BUT THERE ARE OTHER DEVICES, OTHER COMPANIES COMPETING. I HAVE SEEN THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE AUTO MARK MACHINE. THEY ARE OUT THERE AND THEY ARE
FORTUNATE. >> THERE ARE 10 TO 12 -- CALL WITH US. WE PUT A CALL OUT TO OTHER CITIES AT OUR MEETING LAST WEEK TO SEE WHAT TECHNOLOGY THEY USED.
WE HAVE SOME I PUT AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING RESEARCH ON THAT. LY BRING ALL THESE IDEAS TO COMMISSIONER CHONG. IF ANY BOARD MEMBERS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOWING ANY THAT WORKS WELL EVERYWHERE PLEASE
SEND US AN EMAIL. >> I BELIEVE BRIDGETT MURPHY IS THE PERSON WHO WOULD HANDLE THE MACHINES AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. >> WONDERFUL. COMMISSIONER MCCOSH, WILL
DEFER TO YOU ON HOW I CAN BEST STAY IN TOUCH WITH BOARD MEMBERS AND PROVIDE UPDATES. I DO HOPE REALLY WANT FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND
YOU PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES AND COMMUNICATE WITH PERSONALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WHAT'S OUR TIME FRAME? WHEN IS THE NEXT ELECTION? NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER THAT WE KNOW OF? >> NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER BUT THE
CALENDAR IS THERE. JANUARY WE'LL START TO MAIL OUT OUR CENSUS TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN BOSTON THAT CONFIRMS YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS, CANDIDATES WILL SUBMIT THEIR CANDIDACY PAPERS.
RIGHT NOW FOR EXAMPLE WE ARE CERTIFYING SIGNATURES FOR BALLOT QUESTIONS. WE HAVE TO MAIL OUT BALLOTS VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT APPLICATIONS.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING HAPPENING. ANY CHANGES THAT WE DO MAKE TO OUR TRAINING, OUR PERATIONS, AT THIS POINT WE HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE ABOUT.
THAT ALSO FACTORS INTO OUR TIME FRAME FOR MAKING OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT. >> GREAT. I THINK WE HAVE A PLAN, OARD MEMBERS, THEY WE WILL MEET WITH COMMISSIONER CHRONIC AND THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THE
MEDIA, BRING OUR RESEARCH TOGETHER AND MAKE A PLAN FOR TRAINING. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] WE CAN DO ALL THAT AND THEN PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE BOARD MAYBE.
SO I HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY, COMMISSIONER. WE'LL CHECK WITH YOU AFTER THE MEETING. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU TO THE BOARD MEMBERS. >> I CAN GIVE YOU MY REPORT.
LET'S GO BACK TO MY SLIDE. I BELIEVE THE OTHER SUPPORT THAT I HAVE FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON UPDATES IS -- IN 2026.
>> I'M SORRY, WE MENTIONED THE CODATO THIS GROUP A LOT. THIS IS THE GROUP OF OTHER APPOINTED VOLUNTEERS LIKE YOURSELVES, ALSO INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS AUTO MARK PROCESS AND MAYBE WHATEVER.
IF ANYONE FROM THE BOARD WANTS TO JOIN THE NEXT MEETING EMAIL ME AND I WILL SEND YOU THE LINK. >> YES. I KNOW I MENTIONED CODA MANY TIMES ON CALL. ENCOURAGING ME TO JOIN. WOULD LOVE IT FOR ANYONE THAT
JOINS. IF YOU AVE THOUGHTS AFTER THIS CALL OR QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTIONS, ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US LOOK AT SEND US AN EMAIL. >> IF IT'S OKAY I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND THAT MEETING.
THE CODA MEETING. >> WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ABOUT THAT AS WELL. >> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SO THE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 10:00 A.M.
AT BOSTON CITY HALL. BOARD MEMBERS ARE ALL INVITED AND INVITATIONS WILL BE ARRIVING SOONL. ANDREA IS WORKING ON LANGUAGE ACCESS. WE HAVE INPUT FROM BOARD MEMBERS
ON LOCATIONS WHICH WE REALLY APPRECIATE. EVERYBODY WILL GET THEIR OWN INVITATION AND THOSE ABLE TO ATTEND WILL HAVE NO ACCESS ISSUES. NEXT SLIDE.
THE ONE WE HAVE IS OUR TOUR AT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. COLLEEN HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO HER FOR THE UPDATE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. VERY HAPPY TO REPORT ABOUT THE DISABILITY OUTREACH TOUR AT THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES. WE STARTED THIS IN FEBRUARY 2025 AND WE WILL FINISH WITHIN A YEAR, FEBRUARY 2026. SO FAR WE VISITED 16 BRANCHES. WE DID HAVE TO SKIP A COUPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER
CONSTRUCTION. THE REMAINING BRANCHES ARE ALL SCHEDULED BLOW. I'LL BE IN THE NORTH END TOMORROW FROM 3:00 TO 5:00. ON JANUARY 6 I'LL BE AT THE AUSTIN BRANCH LIBRARY. THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY, JANUARY
13 I'LL BE AT THE SOUTH BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. NEXT TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 I'LL BE AT THE PARKER HILLS BRANCH. JANUARY 27 I'LL BE AT THE ROXBURY SHOP RANCH IN WEST
ROXBURY. HYDE PARK FEBRUARY 10. ALL WILL BE 3:00 TO 5:00 P.M. EXCEPT FOR PARKER HILL WHICH CLOSES EARLY AND THAT'S WHY YOU'LL SEE ON THE SLIDE IT SAYS FROM 3:00 TO 4:00 P.M. THIS SOUR HAS BEEN ABOUT MEETING RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AT.
I HAVE MET PARENTS OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES, I HAVE MET STAFF MEMBERS WORKING AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT PLACES IN BOSTON WITH DISABILITIES WHO DIDN'T KNOW THIS OFFICE EXISTED. EVERY TIME HEAR THEY ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK
EVERYBODY DOES TO MAKE BOSTON ACCESSIBLE. >> THANKS, COLLEEN. HER MAIN PURPOSE IS TO INTERACT AND ENGAGE RESIDENTS, BUT SHE HAS BEEN TAKING NOTES ON ANY
ACCESS AREAS THAT SHE COMES ACROSS, HICH IS REALLY GREAT. I HAVEN'T BUN TO EVERY BRANCH SO IT'S GREAT TO HAVE EYES ON THE GROUND. MY STAFF AND I MEET MONTHLY WITH
A STAFF FROM THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY TO TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL AND COMMUNICATION BARRIERS THAT WE CAN IMPROVE OR ELIMINATE. THIS IS A GREAT THING TO GET THAT INFORMATION THAT WE CAN SHARE.
MY STAFF AND I DO THOSE MONTHLY CALLS IN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. PUBLIC WORKS, SO ONE OF THE REASONS DEPARTMENTS CAN IMPROVE ACCESS. THANKS, COLLEEN.
WE'LL GOLD TO THE NEXT SLIDE. SOME UPDATES ON THE ADVISORY BOARD. AS JERRY MENTIONED WE HAD SAD NEWS THAT JOHN KELLY PASSED AWAY IN NOVEMBER.
JOHN WAS CHAIR OF THE BOARD, FIRST CHAIR APPOINTED IN 2009. HE STAYED UNTIL 2012. WHEN HE LEFT I REMEMBER SAYING TO HIM I FEEL LIKE MY HIGH SCHOOL BOYFRIEND JUST BROKE UP
WITH HIM BECAUSE HE DID SO MUCH. JOHN WAS GREAT ADVOCATE. HE STARTED THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS GROUP, THE NAG GROUP.
I AM CURRENTLY PUTTING TOGETHER A LIST OF ALL THE THINGS JOHN GAVE THE BOARD. HE DID A LOT OF WORK WITH THE
GOVERNOR, WRITING LETTERS. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] HE WILL BE MISSED. AND HONORED.
I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT JOHN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THE FIRST ACCESS PASS ON CITY HALL PLAZA. ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER WAS WORKING CLOSELY ON THAT, JOHN MCPHEE. WE LOST JOHN AS WELL.
JOHN KELLY AND JOHN ARE CREDITED FOR THE ACCESS WE HAVE TODAY. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE. MOST OF OUR MEMBERS NOW ARE ON -- ONLY ONE OR TWO ARE ACTIVE.
WE DO HAVE THREE OPEN SPACES. WE NOMINATED SIX APPLICANTS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF INTERVIEWS WITH THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR MAKES THE FINAL DECISION. WE DON'T DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN RECOMMEND PEOPLE WE THOUGHT
WOULD BE BEST AT. THE DECISION IS JANUARY 8th. WE WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE APPOINTMENTS NEXT YEAR. ALSO IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE BEEN CALLING BOARD MEMBERS.
[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] I WILL RY TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS WEEK. I WANTED YOUR INSIGHT ON HOW YOU THOUGHT THE LAST YEAR WENT AND WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTING IN SEEING OR THE UPCOMING YEAR. EVERYBODY REAL ESTATE LIKES THE
IDEA THAT BOARD MEMBERS HAVE TWO AREAS TO FOCUS ADVOCACY ON. HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION. WHEN I TALK TO VALERI SHE'S INTERESTED IN HEALTH CARE.
A FEW THER THINGS. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] EVERYBODY MENTIONED AT LEAST ONE THING IF NOT TWO. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU THINK ABOUT NEXT YEAR CONTINUING THE ONES YOU MENTIONED. LUCKILY FOR US EVERYBODY PICKS A
DIFFERENT TOPIC. THE SECOND THING I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN COLLABORATING WITH ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER O WE COULD DO CROSS COLLABORATION AMONG BOARD MEMBERS TO REALLY IMPROVE THE IMPACT OF THE COMMISSION'S
WORK. THEN AS YOU MENTIONED, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN ARCH. WE WILL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS AND THE VOTE WILL TAKE PLACE IN MARCH.
I DO THINK THAT. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] WORKING VERY WELL TOGETHER. IF ANYONE WANTS TO NOMINATE SOMEONE ELSE OR THEMSELVES, THEY CAN DO THAT. IF NOT WE CAN ONLY MAINTAIN THE
STRUCTURE WE HAVE FOR NEXT YEAR. OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO TRAIN UP TO BE HOLDERS THEMSELVES. THEY ONLY EXPRESSED GREAT DESIRE
TO JOIN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. SO IF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TIME OR INTEREST WE CAN MAINTAIN THINGS WHERE WE ARE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED PLEASE LET US KNOW. I THINK I SPOKE TO MOST OF YOU ABOUT IN PERSON AND IN JANUARY
WITH THE MAYOR. WE HOPE TO DO THIS JANUARY 14 OR 21st. WE HAVE NOT FOUND A DATE YET. I WILL STAY IN TOUCH OVER THE HOLIDAYS AS SOON AS WE GET A DATE TO GIVE EOPLE PLENTY OF
NOTICE. ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS OR NEW MEMBERS BE SWORN IN AT THE SAME TIME. SO WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO.
THEN WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE A MEETING BECAUSE EVERYONE WILL BE PRESENT THEN WE GO BACK TO REMOTE MEETING. WE CAN ALWAYS THINK ABOUT
MY LAST SLIDE IS THE DATES THAT WE HAVE FOUND FOR CITY HALL. JANUARY WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS, THE 14th OR THE 28th.
FEBRUARY 18, MARCH 18, APRIL 22, MAY 13, JUNE 17, JEWEL 15, AUGUST 19, SEPTEMBER 23, OCTOBER 21, OCTOBER 9.
>> MOST WILL BE LIKE PRETTY MUCH THE THIRD WEDNESDAY. ON THIRD WEDNESDAYS WITH OTHERY COMMITMENTS.
[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] WE ALWAYS WELCOME THAT. WE DO THE COMBINED DATES IN DECEMBER. LAST YEAR THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT TAKING ANOTHER MONTH. I BELIEVE QUESTION REQUIRE TEN
MEETINGS A YEAR SO WE DO HAVE OTHER OPTIONS IF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN THAT. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE AN ISSUE WHEN WE HAVE A MEETING IN PER
PERSON. THERE ARE SOMETIMES CHALLENGES WITH WEATHER IN THE WINTER. WE ARE OPEN TO THAT DISCUSSION IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT. ON A NOTE I'LL TURN IT BACK TO
OLIVIA. THE NEXT STEPS ON THAT OR ANYTHING ELSE. ANY QUESTIONS I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER. >> OKAY. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
FOR THE COMMISSIONER? NOT SEEING ANY. AM I MISSING ANYONE? >> THIS ANDREA. I'M NOT SEEING ANY HANDS OR COMMENTS FROM THE CHAT.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE MISSING ANYTHING. >> OKAY. IN THAT CASE, THEN, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. LET'S MOVE ON TO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE, ANYTHING GOING ON?
I FORGOT TO MENTION THE MEMORIAL FOR JOHN KELLY WILL JANUARY 17th. I'LL SEND AN EMAIL CLOSER TO THE DATE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. PAUL, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING? >> YES, I JUST WANT TO SAY FROM MEM HEALTH ADVOCACY FOR THE LAST YEAR I WANT TO THANK MAYOR W U FOR HELPING US AT THE LOCAL
LEVEL AND STATE AND NATIONAL. LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD TO 2026 IN MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY. THANK YOU. >> I ACTUALLY HAVE SOMETHING.
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION AND THAT IS THANKING -- OH, MY GOD.
I FORGOT HIS NAME. ED. COUNCILOR? >> THE COUNCILOR. >> ED FLYNN. >> FLYNN. HOW DID I FORGET THAT? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ED FLYNN
FOR HIS ADVOCACY AND BRINGING IN FEET TO THE FIRE ON THETTING ELEVATORS GOING DOWN ON THANKSGIVING. THAT'S LIKE THE WORST TIMING
EVER. SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN USE SOME OF THIS TO SHAKE LOOSE AT THE FED LEVEL SOME FOR BHS.
SEEING AS THIS IS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. >> OLIVIA, CAN I ASK DO YOU KNOW
IF ANY BHA TENANTS OR OTHERS HAVE WILL NEED ADVOCACY TO CONGRESS ABOUT THIS? JUST CURIOUS. >> I DON'T KNOW. THE RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD HASN'T DONE ANYTHING. I KNOW THAT, WHICH IS THE
BHA APPOINTED COMMITTEE. I KNOW THAT CHAPO HAS DONE SOME MENTIONING TO THEIR PEOPLE AT THE FED LEVEL THAT THIS IS A
SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH. BUT OTHER THAN THAT I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE WHO IS REALLY TAKING IT ON OTHER THAN THE RESIDENTS
OF RUTH BARKLAY AND THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE GOT.
ANYBODY ELSE GOT ANYTHING? OKAY. SEEING NONE, HEARING NONE, LET'S
MOVE ON TO OLD BUSINESS. THERE IS -- YES, WES? GO AHEAD. >> HI, THERE. THIS IS WES. I DO HAVE ONE ITEM OF OLD
BUSINESS. BEAR WITH ME ONE SECOND. IN PARTICULAR FOR DAN, HE DIRECTOR OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION. HE HAD COME TO A MEETING WITH US LAST MONTH. I HOPED WE COULD INVITE HSM
BAITION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR OR EARLY SUMMER TO SHARE A FEW THINGS THAT WOULD BE PERFORMANCE METRICS ON THE DOOR TO DOOR SERVICES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AS WELL AS THE RESULTS AND DATA
FROM THIS SCHOOL YEAR. >> WE ALL AGREE. >> WE CAN DEFINITELY PUT THAT ON THAT LIST FOR AN UPDATE. WE CAN CIRCUMSTANCE BACK ON
TRANSITION AND VOTING. THANKS, WES. >> ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER OLD BUSINESS?
OKAY. ANY NEW BUSINESS? >> I DID HAVE ONE THING I WANTED TO PROPOSE TO THE BOARD FOR
CONSIDERATION. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU. SO ONE PET PROJECT THAT I WANTED TO WORK ON OR YEARS IS N ESTABLISHING A DISABILITY
HISTORY TRAIL IN BOSTON OR DISABILITY MEMORIAL IN BOSTON. IT OCCURRED TO ME RECENTLY THAT MAYBE THE BOARD OULD WANT TO WORK ON THIS. IF SO WE COULD PUT THAT ON THE
AGENDA OR FORM A COMMITTEE ON IT. NOBODY HAS TO RESPOND NOW. JUST WANT YOU ALL TO THINK ABOUT IT. I THINK YOU CAN MAKE MORE PROGRESS ON IT THAN I HAVE. WE HAVE SUCH A RICH HISTORY IN
BOSTON. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ORGANIZE IT. >> THIS WOULD AB GREAT PROJECT
FOR THE ARTS DEPARTMENT TOO. >> THEY ACTUALLY HAD SOME FINDINGS AVAILABLE.
CHANGES WE CAN MAKE. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] >> ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THAT IDEA?
>> I JUST ANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE]
HISTORY TRAIL FOR DISABILITY. >> YEAH, I THINK HAT'S OPEN FOR INPUT. THE REASON WHY I GOT AN OLD MAP OF SOUTH BOSTON WHERE I GREW UP.
A HEWN TICK ASYLUM, A HOME FOR FETAL MINDED USE AND THE PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND. ALL THESE THINGS WERE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WE HAVE THE STATE HOSPITAL THEN
WE HAVE DISABILITY ADVOCACY. IT COULD BE ANYTHING THAT PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE. WHATEVER PRIORITY YOU HAVE I COULD HELP TO SHAPE IT AND CONTRIBUTE. I WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON THAT.
>.[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] >> WE'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF IDEAS FROM THAT ONE THING.
ANDREA SAYS THE CONGRESSMEN RATION COMMISSION IS WORKING ON THE 250 ANNIVERSARY OF BOSTON.
LET'S DO SOMETHING FOR OUR DISABLED TRAIL WAYS. >> DO WE WANT TO MAKE THIS A
SUBCOMMITTEE POTENTIALLY? >> THIS IS ANDREA. I'M SEEING A FEW SMILES. NO VOTE IS NEEDED. THE CHAIR CAN JUST MAKE SUBCOMMITTEES BUT IF EOPLE ARE
INTERESTED AND WANT TO PUT UP A THUMBS UP IMOGEE IN THE CHAT TO GIVE AN INFORMAL SENSE OF WHO
MIGHT WANT TO JOIN THE COMMIT COMMITTEE. >> WE HAVE A COMMENT. CAN ANYONE JOIN? >> A SUBCOMMITTEE WOULD BE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE ADVISORY
BOARD SO ONLY MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD. IF YOU WANT TO EMAIL DISABILITY AT BOSTON.GOV I COULD CHECK UP ON THE MEETING LAW. I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY THEY WOULD NEED TO BE PRIVATE. I CAN SEND YOU LINKS TO THE
CONGRESSMEN RATION COMMISSION AND ARTS AND CULL DOOR IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THEIR MEETINGS TO >> ALSO DEPENDING ON WHAT CAMS. IF THE COMMITTEE COMES TO A
BIGGER PROCESS. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] >> ALL RIGHT.
ANY OTHER NEW BUSINESS? SEEING NONE, NOW IT'S TIME TO
MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT. PARTICIPATION. >> THIS IS ANDREA. IF YOU REMEMBER THE PUBLIC WITH A COMMENT OR A QUESTION WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE USE THE ZOOM
FUNCTION, COME OFF CAMERA AND RAIDS YOUR HAND ON CAMERA SO I SEE YOU OR PUT A NOTE IN THE CHAT. YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO E RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR AT WHICH POINTLY SEND YOU A REQUEST TO UNMUTE. YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO
MAKE YOUR COMMENT AND/OR QUESTION. OLIVIA? >> ALL RIGHT. LET'S LOOK AT THE CHAT.
>> DO YOU SEE A RAISED HAND? >> RUSHMA. GO AHEAD. >> HI. THANK YOU. HELLO, EVERYONE.
I HOPE YOU'RE FEELING WELL. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER MCCOSH TO INVITE ME. I LIVE.
[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] I WOD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW THINGS OF AN ISSUE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. WHEN I TRAVEL BY BUS I.
[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] I DON'T WANT TO KEEP MY PHONE IN ME HAND. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES AT THE SAME
TIME THAT PHONE IS INTERRUPTED AND IT'S NOT ISSUED AGAIN. I MAY MISS IT. MY INTENTION IS TO CONTINUE TO
THE DESTINATION. [AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] THAT IS ALL. >> THANK YOU. THIS MOMENT. I THINK YOU CAN CONTACT THE
NBCA, AS WELL. THEY HAVE SYSTEM-WIDE ACCESSIBILITY. IT'S A FANTASTIC OFFICE.
I DON'T HAVE THE SW AL. >> THIS IS ANDREA. I WILL FIND IT AND GET IT TO HER. >> OKAY. >> WE CAN ALSO NOTE IT FOR FUTURE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE WITH SW A.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME R-TAG MEMBERS ON THIS CALL WHO MAY BE ABLE TO MENTION IT AT A FUTURE MEETING. THANKS. >> ESPECIALLY SINCE RTAG HAS TAKEN OVER FOR THE SETTLEMENT.
WE HAVE TWO OTHER HANDS RAISED FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. FIRST BRIDGETT, THEN ROSS. >> GO AHEAD, BRIGITTE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M BRIDGETT. I'M 17, A JUNIOR AT BOSTON SCHOOL AND AM ON THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL, A GROUP OF 20 HIGH SCHOOLERS ALL SERVING IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND WORKING ON INITIATIVES. FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I
HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AN INITIATIVE TO BRING MORE PUBLIC SAFETY AND MORE CROSSWALKS AND DISABILITY RAMPS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON. WE DEFINITELY FACE SOME CHALLENGES AND FACED A LOT OF SETBACKS BUT WE HAVE SEEN OUR
PROJECT PROGRESS NICELY. WE RECENTLY CONNECTED WITH SOMEBODY IN THE DISABILITIES COMMISSION OFFICE, PATRICIA. IT WAS GREAT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE DISABILITIES COMMISSION DOES AND REALLY GREAT TO BE ON THIS MEETING.
I LISTENED VERY INTENTLY TO THE ISSUES THE COMMISSIONER HANDLES. GREAT TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SAME THING. GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO SEE THIS
HARD WORK AND WOULD LOVE TO TALK MORE AND SEE SOME KIND OF PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR SOURCES AT THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND DVANCEMENT. GETTING THIS WORK DONE AND
MAKING THE CITY MORE ACCESSIBLE WOULD BE GREAT. >> GO AHEAD. >> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRIDGE YET. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON TRYING
TO GET CROSSWALKS AND CHARLESTOWN AND IN MISSION HILLS. RAMP LAST YEAR. HELP BUILD A WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BUILD ON THAT WORK. WE KNOW THE COMMISSION IS
INVOLVED WITH MAKING SURE BEING ABLE TO CROSS STREETS JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
INCLUDING THIS. NYC@BOSTON.GOV. ANYONE AROUND THE CITY IS WELCOME. THANKS SO MUCH.
>> DO YOU HAVE GUEST SPEAKERS AT YOUR MEETINGS? IS THAT THE THING THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR THIS BOARD TO HELP YOU WITH? >> YES. >> WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MEMBERS ON OUR COUNCIL AND WE WOULD LOVE TO LEARN ABOUT ALL DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE DISABILITY COMMISSION. ONE OF OUR COORDINATORS LENA IS ON A CALL RIGHT NOW. CONTACT THEM AND I'M SURE THEY WILL FIND A TIME TO SET UP FOR A
TIME THAT'S CONVENIENT FOR EVERYONE. WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I'M SURE OTHER COUNCILORS WOULD ALSO BE EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >> I KNOW YOU MET WITH OUR FULL-TIME STAFF. CERTAINLY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
IF YOU WANT TO REACH OUT APPOINTEES TO APPOINTEES, GET YOU CONNECTED IN YOUR ENTER BOARD RELATIONS. >> I'M.
[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] YEAH, E WOULD TOTALLY LOVE TO HAVE YOU SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. I'LL DROP MY EMAIL ADDRESS AND THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS AND WE CAN SET SOMETHING UP SOON POSSIBLY
AFTER CHRISTMAS BREAK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ONE THING YOU GUYS MIGHT LIKE
TO KNOW ABOUT IS THERE IS A CURB CALL PERSON IN TRANSPORTATION I THINK IT IS THAT OVERSEES A --
IS IT A CONSENT AGREEMENT OR AN AGREEMENT? >> IT'S A CONSENT AGREEMENT I BELIEVE. >> ON CURB CUTS IN THE CITY.
YES. MANAGER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. >> I THINK WE HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO SEND AN UNMUTE REQUEST. >> PLEASE DO.
>> MAYBE HER HAND WAS STILL UP. THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. [LAUGHTER] >> KAY.
>> ALL RIGHT. SEEING NO OTHER PARTICIPATION, IT'S TIME TO MAKE A MOTION TO
ADJOURN. >> WES HAS A HAND. >> THIS IS WESLEY. >> HI. I MAKE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> ANY SECOND? >> I SEE PAULETTE'S HAND. >> PAULETTE? PAULETTE SECONDS. >> YEP. >> OKAY.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> I JUST WANT O COME ON QUICKLY. OLIVIA, YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB. I WANTED TO SAY IN PERSON TO THE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS GREAT JOB THIS YEAR.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER IN 2026. THANKS, EVERYBODY. >> THANK YOU, JERRY. >> HAPPY HOLIDAYS. >> FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> BYE, EVERYBODY. >> BYE-BYE. >> BYE.
>> BYE!