Good evening. Welcome to the September 9th Commission on Disabilities meeting. Uh if we could uh salute the the flag. I have the trustee flag here. Uh, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Just one piece of housekeeping. If you can just make sure that your mics are muted unless you're going to speak. This way, we won't have any um any feedback or any background noise, that would be much appreciated.
Um, if we could um Pauline, if you could do a roll call of the members, I'd greatly appreciate it. >> Sure. So Ralph Tico >> present. >> Colleen Pero is present. Jason Baron >> present. >> Mario Gman >> present. >> Ellie Vargas
>> present. >> Okay. And Ann Marie Fiory we know is absent. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And first item is we are going to do the item number one is the motion to approve the meeting minutes from August 12th um 2025. I sent the meeting minutes over to
everyone last week so that you could all take a look at it. Um hopefully everyone was able to take a look at it. If anyone seen any omissions or any changes that need to be made, please let me know. If not, if somebody if I could have a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve
>> and I'll second that. >> Okay. Second byly. Okay. Next, uh item number two. Um, as you can see, we have a guest, we have guest speakers here tonight. We have the
co-founders from Lena Bego, Lisa Tulipani, and Maria Riley here are going to do a presentation for us. So, first I wanted to welcome them to the River Commission of Disabilities and thank them for being here. And I'll let them uh each introduce themselves. Um, so uh
you have the capabilities after to share your screen. So, I'll let you introduce yourself and talk a little bit about it before you um do your presentation. >> Thank you so much. Um, again, thank you so so much for having us. Um, I met my name's Lisa Tulipani. I am a lifelong u
Massachusetts resident, initially from Melrose. Um, I've been in Lynn for the past nine years and then before that I did a little stint in Los Angeles, but um, the Northshore is my home. Um, we're so excited to talk to you about the Lenebago. Um I have a background in um
oncology, nursing, paliotative care and um legislative advocacy and FDA policy and all this stuff. But um my experience combined with Maria um we're we created something beautiful and innovative and we can't
wait to share it with you. And Maria, please introduce yourself. >> Hey everyone, I'm Maria Riley. uh longtime Chelsea resident now living in Lynn for the past 12 years. Um my background is um 35 years of sales and
retail. Um and like Lisa said, with our two minds together, we came up with a great uh uh trailer that definitely is well needed in our community. Um, I feel that with my background and Lisa's
background, something like this is going to be amazing and we can't wait to share it with everyone. And I'm going to go ahead and um share my screen. Please let me know if you can see
things. It should be an image that says let go. Let's go. Do you see that? >> Yep. It's all set. >> Okay. All right. Um, this is a slide deck. I want to let you know this is our presentation deck that eventually we will be sharing with investors in a few
weeks. And if you don't know what we're here to talk about, you will find out very shortly. Um, so we are so appreciative of being able to share what we have built so far with you and we are so open to your feedback. So anything you'd like to share with us, um, we'll have questions at the end. And um again,
just thank you so much for your time. Maria and I are co-owners of something called the Labbago, which is an accessible event trailer and community engagement hub. The Lenebago offers dignified toilet options, diverse
communication aids, and private space for peace and calm. Basically, the Lenebago is a new type of mobile public amenity that allows access to community, dignity, and joy wherever it roams. Um, it's an awesome concept. It's we
designed it based on our life experience um in Lynn. My son, um, is five. He has quadriplegic cerebral pausy and requires a high level of care, including when out in the community. um requires a changing table that accommodates um
humans bigger than 35 pounds, which is what the average um changing station in a bathroom um um is. That that's the weight limit. Anyway, so um Maria's family, um Maria is a caregiver to um folks. She's a
sandwich generation, so she has um parents and in-laws who are elderly that she's caring for. And Maria also has three um kids who are on the spectrum as well as her husband and um there is a sensory aspect to the Lobbago too. So what is the problem? The problem that we
came across with our families and trying to just access life is that the disability community is left out of living a connected life. This is because of structural barriers and outdoor state spaces or systemic barriers to civic engagement. There's also very little
data that exists around municipal inclusion of the disability space. The question that we came up with is, you know, h how do we change outdoor space for our families? And if we're
going to change it, how are we going to measure the the effects of it? So our research question for our revolutionary trailer is how does enabling accessible community events prioritizing dignity, joy and impact in joy impact public health and economic growth. So we have
our trailer the Leneago again is this new mobile type of amenity and it does two things. It provides a product which is the trailer to address physical need of a sensory room, communication aids and uh bathroom that goes beyond ADA
accessibility. Um and also a program to provide um education to the community when we are at an event um and also a research plan to study um the impact and answer our research question.
We initially got the funding in 2023. We entered our concept and idea into a disability innovation contest called the Ark Tank. Um, we were one, sorry, we were seven of 150 international
applicants that were mostly big tech companies, pharmaceutical companies that entered a concept um that's supposed to be disruptive to the disability space. We had the only entry that wasn't an app. It was a physical product. And I have to say we are quite proud. Um on I
think it was December 5th, 23, we presented a live pitch in front of a room full of um investors and advocates at the JFK library and we were one of three groups to walk away with funding. We won a grant of $75,000 which took our
plan from concept and drawing to actually existing. This is the Lenebago. Um, right now it resides in Salem, which is super cool. Um, this is the sensory space. There's me. There's Maria. That's um, I think we were at the Kennedy Library for a different event um, almost
a year later in this photo. And this is the bathroom. We were so excited about the bathroom. And in fact, we have a closer picture of the bathroom. >> Um, our universal restroom. You can see just looking at this how this changes who is able to show up at outdoor
events. Our restroom is wheelchair accessible. There is ample space for companions or people that use mobility aids. Um it is um you can easily get in and do a 360 in a wheelchair in there. The changing
table is powered. It is height adjustable and it accommodates humans up to 330 lbs. The entire trailer, it's two rooms. Um, both rooms are temperature controlled, offering heat and AC, and it's a clean, sleek, homey design. Um, there are restroom trailers that do have
changing tables that have a very clinical feel to it. We wanted this to feel like home when you're out in the community. Um, so that informed our design as well. Um, and speaking of our design, we are on LinkedIn, so you can come and find us. But we actually were
recognized, we celebrate every success, we were recognized by a website called the toilet guru, um, for being an innovative type of toilet. So that's exciting. Um we are actually this month um with the help of Boston's inst institute for human- centered design on their recommendation we're applying for
an international toilet award called the from the Japanese toilet association um for our work um in using bathroom design as a way to improve public health. Um we also have the second room is a sensory room. Um if you're not familiar with
sensory care um sensory care often is associated with um you know kids and families where there are intellectual or developmental um disabilities such as autism. Sometimes at an event you just need to have a moment of respit and
calm. Um, and this is an invaluable this is invaluable for all humans. Whether you're an adult with PTSD, um, someone elderly with dementia, um, a mom, um, who's getting overwhelmed in public, private space is so needed. And a lot of times having this available will allow a
whole different segment of the population to show up and interact. Um, here's another photo. Um, these are the products that we've picked out. We can talk about them later, but everything that's going in the lenebago and in the
sensory room is top-of-the-line hospital grade, so it can be easily sanitized. And again, this is a prototype, so we're building everything professionally so it can be easily replicated. Um, the third piece, so we have the bathroom, we have a sensory room. The third thing that
we're very excited about is um the communication aids that we're having throughout the vehicle. These will be um multilingual augmentative and alternative communication um braille and sign language panels. Um and basically, you know, we live in Lynn, there are so
many languages spoken here. We want to make sure that if you show up to an event, not only do you not have to worry about bodily functions or find and calm space, you can also communicate in the way that you exist in the world. So, um, again, we're just trying to think of
what type of new amenity would make outdoor connection possible. Um, one thing that we're very excited about is we've been getting new networking opportunities. Maria and I, um, just went to a disability innovation night at the Museum of Science. It was a
networking event. And guess what? the networking event worked because now we are going to be working alongside Perkins and School of the Blind to make sure that our communication aids um not only are um you know not only are
accurate but also visually inclusive to those um with um visual impairments. So, like we're so excited about that new um that new potential partnership that we're still working out details, but we're so excited about that. Um the
other thing um that we're doing is every time the Lago is out in the community um we will be engaging with community members um and through surveys um and direct interaction and collection of stories. We'll be measuring the impact of what
this new type of access brings both in terms of public health and local economic growth. Um I do need a slide on there about economic growth. So I please your feedback is welcome. But basically for every dollar that a municipality or
business entity invests in accessibility eventually over the course of few years you will see that come back into your local economy. I think the latest figure was like nine times over. Um so if you think about a whole new segment of people going out into um the town of
River, they're going to stop for a cup of coffee. um they're they maybe they'll take public transportation where they hadn't before. Maybe they'll go to Kelly's and get a lobster roll. You know, we have all the the ability for people to leave the home and engage in
community also assists the local economy. Um in terms of our research partners um we have been getting support and ideas from um the adaptive sports team at Spalding um their Salem location which
is part of the Mass General family. Um we're still working out a research partnership but um Dr. Wishart who is in the middle there and this is some of his PT and OT staff. They're going to be helping us um design some of the research elements um related to public
health and measuring joy and things like that. Um and also how awesome is the bathroom? I think that's that's seven people plus me taking the photo. Um I I invite, you know, Marie and I have a very tight schedule, but if there is a time where we can get um folks from
local disability commissions together and we can give you a little tour, it it is so impactful when you see it. Um later this month we're doing um an interview documentary with um this gentleman up in the right who actually lives in Newton. He has um a television
throw show through Newton um community television called the innovation showcase and he's just he's a retired science teacher and he loves science and museums and innovations and we're doing like a three-part series sharing our like schematic drawings and getting
really nerdy about it. So we're so excited for that. Um, we've also been getting press lately, which is awesome. You may have read some. Um, and then earlier today, because of the unique approach, um, and because of the market
research and, you know, deep dive that we did into the local disability, not only population statistics, but market analysis and what are the state of portable bathrooms in Massachusetts and what are the rates over the course of the country. Um we've been called we
were called upon today to testify at the state house um in support of um a house bill 256 and senate bill um 102 which is um you can you can read this later but basically in 2027 they are trying to
pass legislation that um for any municipal or public building that is being newly constructed or renovated um that having a powered height adjustable changing table, whether it is wall-mounted like in the Lenebago or it
could be a freestanding one on wheels that that will be um required in every public building. Um I just want to point out um the cost-effective solution piece down here. Having changing tables in the community, regardless if the Labbago
exists or not is such a cost-effective way to build inclusive communities. Um, if you just get a portable table, that cost um, like a middle-of the road one is around $4,000. And that's a good alternative to places in Massachusetts
that have an older infrastructure because sometimes it's hard to renovate a bathroom with that extra space. Um, I want to point out that the state house itself has an accessibility a yearly accessibility budget. I think for fiscal year 26 it's $161,000.
Um, if they were to do the one-time cost of having one of like the middle grade, not super high quality changing table, that's about 0.02% of their yearly accessibility budget. Um, and actually like I love you using
Lynn as an example because Lynn does struggle financially. Lynn does have huge challenges with infrastructure and doesn't always get ADA stuff right. We are all working. but they've heard our work and Lind City Hall actually has a changing table right now. So, you know,
that kind of proves the feasibility of this initiative. It's a small investment for a significant return on equity and inclusion. Um I have oh and then the last one um the big the big um piece the
big deal about the Labbago is that it is thinking about outdoor space in terms of human centric design. So what what can we do to get a full community out um and really participate in life? Um it was
important for us to have human centric design meaning like any human can use the Labbago. Um but it was also important to have a quality product so that um not if but when this becomes a regular part of um culture here having
this type of mobile public access. Um, each Lenebago does come with a um 20-year manufacturers guarantee. The trailers are FEMA grade. Um, you know, in this time uh of of chaos, um, you know, Maria and I like like to joke but
also say kind of seriously because there is a there is a potential use for mutual aid for the Labbago that like, you know, pardon my French, if everything goes to and it all burns down, the Labbago will still be standing because that is the commitment to quality in the product that we have. Um, and that brings us to
and oh, the the manufacturer that built the Leneago just got a is partnered now with um the only continental railro railroad that connects Canada, the US, and Mexico. So, they're going to be providing not Labbagos, but restroom
trailers. So, we're so excited to be part of um >> company the the like our network's just growing and it it's it's really cool. Um, so the couple big questions. Um, and I probably think I'm over time, so I'm going to be really quick. Um, Ralph,
please cut me off if I'm going too long. Um, we are not a nonprofit. We are what is called a social enterprise, which is a type of LLC, a limited liability company, which just means that any profits we have get invested back into the research, get invested um, back into
our work. We are not a nonprofit because we firmly believe that advancements in um accessibility should be part of the local economic fabric. This is skilled labor. Um and we are filling actively
filling gaps with our own business plan. Um and also if we are trying to prove that um disability inclusion through architecture and making sure public space is human- centrically designed. If we are trying to prove the value of
that, we're literally going to stand on our business and do that as a business. Um, and then, um, I talk a lot. I'm going to hand it over to Berea. How you doing everyone? So, um, this next slide is how you can how you
innovate in envision the Lobago in River. So, my question is this is your community. So, please you tell us how you would uh use the lenovago in your community and how you think this would help your residents.
Uh I I'm sorry the the numbers here, Lisa, you have these numbers here. I'm sorry. Oh, sure. Yeah. Yeah. No, this is just to show you where river kind of falls within a terms of the rate of disability. So the overall rate of
disability in the United States and this would be presented percentage of population is about 13.5%. Um in Massachusetts overall we have accessible health care. We have services if you are part of the disability community. A lot of times it does not
feel like that. Um but there is more support in Massachusetts than other places. Ironically, Massachusetts, I think, is like the 70th city in the United States and or Boston is like the 70th and the most accessible. So, access
to healthcare and overall community accessibility doesn't necessarily correlate, but we're looking to change that. Um, Lynn actually has one of the highest rates of disability in Massachusetts. The only other one would be Springfield at 16%. Um, but River, you fall in line with the average United
States about 13.5% and those were the most recent um, statistics I could find online. >> What year is this data from? This isn't from the 2020 census. >> Um, this was pulled from disabilitystatistics.org today. I don't have it in front of me,
but I will amend that and make sure that there is a date there, too. >> Okay, >> let me make note of that. Yeah. So, we threw a lot of information at you really fast. Um, the rest of these slides which
I have sent um to Ralph do contain a bunch of resources. Um, one of which I just want to point out is an app called Roll Mobility. Um, we're still working on our partnership. This is one cute little thing we came up with. But role mobility is an app on the phone where um
I as a community member or consumer can go into a public building or a business and then I can rate on my phone how accessible is it? How accessible is it in terms of mobility? How accessible is it in terms of bathroom access? And um
we are going to be partnering officially with Ro Mobility to encourage users in the Northshore area to kind of you know rate the accessibility of businesses because if the Labbago is now going to be out in the community, we want people to know where can you go while you are
out at this community event. How can you how can you capitalize on on this accessible time? Um and again there's all sorts of resources we can answer questions for that. But I >> can I just add one thing? I'm sorry. I just I just want to add one thing. So, I
was at the Sand Castle event and I think amazingly that this our Lenovago would make a great contribution to next year's Sand Castle event. um where we add the sensory where we have the uh accessibility bathroom for everyone in
the community and also it would help like whether it's movie night or sand castles. It would help a large amount of our community members to come out and be able to enjoy uh a community event without having to worry about bathroom accessibility for
those who need more than just uh a a handicap bathroom. they need more like the changing table and space. >> We're open to feedback. We know that um you probably have a lot of questions, but we're so excited to share this with you and hear your thoughts. >> So, I did start saying like this is your
community. How would you feel that the Lobago would benefit like you know help out your community and and benefit your residents? If you have any thing you like to share, please let me know. Before I get into that, I just have one
question on specs on the on I see the bathroom is large. Where did you base your your specs on? Did you follow any guides or or um any access codes or for the dimensions or or anything like that?
>> Yes. So there is um there is the US building code and you know there are ADA accessibility guidelines for um restrooms. The >> you go by the architectural access board the 521 CMR codes. >> I'm not sure if that was exactly but we
went off the same specifications that were used for um the bill that we testified for today um which is specific to having changing tables. I will point out because of um because of funding
design in just the the schematics of the trailer, our particular changing table accommodates up to 330 pounds. The legislation is for 350 pounds. Um but we have something that didn't exist before and this is a prototype and we already
have um notes on what the next iteration um what improvements will be there. >> Okay. Um, if any uh commission members want to speak, you can just unmute. Well, I think the idea would be, and this is just my own thought, that it
would be good to see something permanent like that uh down over near the beach because when they shut the bathrooms down for >> for folks uh Oh, so >> near the beach. Um, for somebody like
myself because when I go around it's not as easy to get into a place with a chair. So, I'm just thinking that this would be a nice touch long term to have. >> So, it' be more places because sometimes it's hard and especially when they get crowded. >> As you know, the bath houses down there
do get crowded. >> The thing Well, the thing you got to remember too, Jason, for the beach, the beach is not re. >> Yeah. No, I know. No, I know. But I'm just >> that's another hurdle that has to be >> Yeah. No, I got that. I'm not but I'm thinking that if River cares about it.
I'm just saying it's a start it would be and there may be other areas in that this could be helpful as well because it's hard. That's just one area I'm thinking of where people go and there are restaurants that might not have accessible restrooms. So I'm just thinking >> they have to by code. They have to.
>> Yeah. Well, as I told you, >> they have to. If not, then you put a complaint in. >> Yeah. Who do we contact them? >> They have to have if they if they do >> and I'll talk offline with you. >> If they don't then you put a complaint in to the architectural access board
that they have to have accessible bathrooms. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean it's just you would think I and I'm just being honest. It's people find ways around everything unfortunately and it's unfortunate but I'm just thinking longer
term. It just would be helpful. Um, you know, that's just one area. I'm saying there's probably other areas that I'm not thinking of the second, but it would be helpful. >> There's a lot of areas that besides River like Ree when you when River is having events when they the Stan Castle
is is not a River event. So, I'm thinking specific Rever events. I'm thinking when uh the parks and recreation department has specific events for the city. uh the Fourth of July event that they have at uh one of the schools um things like that. That's
where this would come into effect. Um they >> when you're having the parade >> when you're having a parade go through. Yeah. >> Yeah. We haven't had that for years. So that's that's a touchy subject right now. Um >> when we have um such other events, they
have a fall festival, things of that nature. Well, I'm just thinking of this. >> There's a lot of there's big needs needs for for something like that. Um, my question is now is is this a community have to purchase one of these or do you
also rent these? What's the what's the model? Do you have two models? >> Our model. So, we're not in operation yet. We were hoping to get um funding from um investments and um donors um to be in operation by um summer 2026. So
next summer we Yeah. or spring >> where um we have we we have we can only move as fast as the money right now. It's a tough time. But um it would be available for municipalities to rent. >> Um the cost um and again we're thinking
you know bigger events. We've done full market analysis on the pricing of renting um restroom trailers plus the added value of a community engagement hub, resources, education, and the research element. It would we're still looking at numbers, but it would be
between 3500 and 4 grand um to rent, which municipalities can also apply for mass cultural council grants and things of that to pay for it. >> How much of a time period does that does that cover for? That would be for pro probably like half a day. Like four to six hours. I
>> was just gonna say four to six hours. Yeah. >> And then we could if you wanted it to quote unquote live in residency somewhere for a couple days that would be a different like we're still figuring that out. But that that's that's an option. Um, as well the big dream is
that we will be able to um within a year or two be able to scale because we have a company that can scale our product to make it available for purchases um to municipalities but as a whole package that includes the education piece,
includes the research piece. Um, and you know, I I like to think big. Our vision is that we would transform the the city of sin to the nation's cradle of inclusivity with this ripple effect of Leneos going out. Um, we we dream big
because why not? Um, >> well, if you're going to dream big, then you need to be looking at the big ye. That's another place where that could be used. >> That is a absolutely fair hunting happenings like there are so many. but also that like high school
graduations. Um we've had um the Red Sox, we don't we haven't made an official appointment with them yet, but they have that new area down on um Yaki Way that's like an outdoor pavilion. Now the Red Sox actually do have a changing table. They just added
>> They just installed it a few months ago, but that's way on the other side of the park. So by having the Lenebago stationed different areas, then the Red Sox can then like I I was there the other a few weeks ago and it was spinal cord injury night. So, you know, they had an influx of folks who were
wheelchair users. You know, having more than one changing table helps. And I do want to point out too that there are I think there's like eight changing tables that are documented as existing in Massachusetts. Five of them are in what I call places of privilege. Um because
you have to have privilege to get there. Um Fenway Park, the Museum of Science, I think Foxboro, and I think one or two of the children's loca children's hospital locations have one. But that's why it's so important to make it publicly available because it's great that changing tables are popping up in
businesses, but people should be able to exist in their communities in public and access amenities they need. When one more question about the the Lenebago. >> Sure. >> What um what is needed for it to be on site at a location? Is it
self-contained? Is it self-powered? Does it need uh power at a location? Does it need the amenities um for to hook up to anything for storage or is it all self-contained? So there are um we either need to be
within 50 feet of a pluginable power source or it runs on one to two generators depending on what load are we using. Are we going to have the AC on? Are we going to have the heat running? Um Maria, do you want to talk about the you love talking about the waste tank
and the water tank? >> No, no worries. But I do want to say it is powered by two um boat batteries that and we have four of them that may depending on what the services need for that day, we would probably use two or
four. But the generator would help out and also having um access to um the power would also help out too just to make everything run smoothly. But also renting the Lenobago. You're not just renting the Lenovago. It comes with me
and Lisa. It comes with a team of staff of volunteers that also make sure that every transition and every use go smoothly and of course the sanitizing, the upkeeping. So the Labo bagel also has a 225galon
tank that holds clean water and a 250galon tank of waste water. So once it reach reaches u max it would have to be changed out. So that is something that we also would be there on staff to make sure that we're monitoring that. We're
moni monitoring every use and making sure it's clean for the next person to go in. So there's a lot of aspects. It's not just, you know, renting. It's about the research point. It's about asking, you know, members h how did the Lobago
in your community today help you and how did it help your family members or what did you like about it? what did you not like about it? So, a little bit of research also goes a long way and having us there, having our, you know, volunteers there to make sure that every
>> everybody using it and and it does get sanitized in between. We still like to have uh sanitation in there. So, that all is included into this price. It's not just you're renting a Lenovago, you're renting a trailer, but you're renting the staff that comes with it,
too. you're renting all the resources and everything comes in this package together. >> And just just to answer this the um the the schematics a little bit more in detail. So say the city of Rivier rents the Lobbago next summer. Yes, it's going
to happen. Um what what we need is it will be delivered um with a tow truck several hours before the event. Um, if you if you rent, Maria and I will come out to the site, assess, we'll figure out like where's the best location, what kind of services do you have, do you
have any community resources you want in the community resource hub part of it? Um, all that um in terms of the water um we and the waste um that will be managed through contracting with um Throne Depot, Union Rentals or another
Portaotti company. Um we are still again looking at different logistics options, but if the city of Rivier water department wants to um give us a deal on filling up the water tank, we can do that. Um that might um impact um the
rental price. Again, we're still figuring out how it works. So maybe that could be a thing that if a municipality rents it, we work out a separate contract for the water. Um but again these are all things that we would have to figure out and we're planning to do um like soft launch small disability
centric focus groups as soon as we get the funding so we can figure out all those little operational logistics that look good on paper but when you have a business and you go to do stuff that's not always the plan doesn't always work. So we want to make sure that it it's well tested um operationally before
before we're in circulation. The last question that I have for any other members is now is this registered as a motor vehicle? Does it have plates on it if to be able to be parked on the street? >> We do have it fully insured. We have three different types of insurance.
There's plates on it. So, it's ready to go. Um whether we take it to a road show or have it at an event, it's fully insured, fully registered, and ready to go. >> It's registered as a commercial trailer. >> Yes, commercial trailer. And actually for a while we had to get creative
because there wasn't there wasn't a vehicle like it was. So it was like an offshore boat for a while. >> There is not one exactly like it. So it took us a long time almost what four months just trying to find insurance for it. >> Okay.
>> All right. Any other members? Pauline, >> I just I just have a really cool thought. First of all, I think this is the most wonderful thing that's ever come down the pike. no pun intended. Um I'm so glad I've channeled my way into your life um via
>> fun. Thank you. >> It's it's it's just amazing that just by you know talking to one person how you can meet two and three and four other people who just have that wonderful vision to make life better. Let's just say that. But as you were talking I had
this wonderful thought and I was going to pose it as a question. Do you think as time goes on and of course your funding comes through etc etc um some places that I was thinking is like the national night out that all communities
do and you know that would be a wonderful place to have that um the leneago be available for families you know just to again for the inclusion and for the fun and the joy of it but do you think at some point
um there might be like I don't want to say a smaller scale of alneago but maybe a personalized scale of alneago maybe for families who have more than one person who could benefit from that. Um
so maybe I don't know about cutting it in half dividing it out and take out maybe the sensory portion if they don't need that but designing like a a mobile bathroom changing station for families. I know several families who have
more than one, two, or even three children or now teens and going into adulthood that could benefit from that. And so make that something that, >> you know, I'm just thinking down the road. I'm not thinking like, but certainly that might be a thought at some point in time. And I'm certainly,
you know, as you're talking, I'm thinking of all these wonderful places that you can hit them up for dough. Um, >> thank you. Yes. Send them my way. that funding is a challenge because we're not a nonprofit, right? Again, we we firmly believe in the model that we've
designed. >> I'm just like Hasbro because they're now coming to Boston. and they're leaving Rhode Island and has the seapport, you know, and there's nothing really to the seapport area, >> you know, they've got the winter wonderland that comes for what, two or
three months at a time, that certainly families take their their kids there. Um, you know, maybe as Hasbro decides to come north, and I know that they've made that decision. They already have their space and everything. And of course, they're going to keep their connection
with Hasbro Children's Hospital. So, intertwining all of those things, you know, I just was having like these brainstorms and I just think it's a magnificent thing. And I don't see where, you know, we were saying like the
the DCR, you know, it's DCR's space, but DCR would really benefit from linking up with you folks. >> And we're we're in touch we're in touch with DCR. We haven't had a formal meeting with them yet, but they're the
like the founder director of their open access program, Tom McCarthy. We've connected with him. I think their community engagement I might might remembering her title wrong, Terry. She was at She was at the beach. Yes. >> Um for All Abilities Day. So like one one of our dreams is actually a
government contract. >> Oh my god. >> Because they should be at the state parks, right? They should be at the state beaches. >> Absolutely. >> Um again, I just want to reiterate that the team is Maria and me.
>> So we're like we're hopeful for funding um that you can do the little QR code right there. We're learning how to we're learning how to be business women. >> I think we're doing a pretty damn good job. Um, but you know, one of our dreams included in that 150 grand is hiring a
grant writer. Um, because I mean, we're we're full-time caregivers to people with disabilities, too. And we're trying to figure out social media. God, I think we made real and it took me like five hours. Like, we need someone's like teenage child to help us like, you know,
but we're hopeful. We're hopeful. We hope. We're hope we made it this far in two years, which is like which is unheard of. So, >> wonderful. I just I'm I'm in awe of you too for the development of this and and the vision and and just it's coming to life and it's it's going to benefit so
many people. >> Yeah. >> And not just kids and not just adults. No, >> families. families >> it so that they're able to do events together and it just >> it's just going to solidify that whole
model. So congratulations on all >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Any other members have any questions? >> Go ahead. >> I just hope I see more willing bagos in Massachusetts. That's all besides
>> We're right there with you. >> We're hoping. Yeah, we're hoping. I mean, accessibility when when um Ruff was saying that most uh places need to have an accessible facility like bathroom.
They're accessible, but they're not accessible like the Lenovago where it requires a ba a changing table because not every location has a changing table and not every person is able to use a
toilet. you know, some people really just need to be changed and experience like what Lisa said with our experience uh going out into the community. I know what Lisa for the longest time was like, okay, I got to go home. I got to change Pey and we were like you just got here
like you know things like that where people don't feel like they have to cut their stay short and they have to either choose do I want to go out or do I want to go out and then have that inconvenience of coming home be because of something like this like either
changing it changing our our child or having a child that has a sensory overload and they can't contain themselves. they having a physical meltdown and the noise and all that. The Lenovo makes it so much easier cuz I
know with my children it just takes 5 to 10 minutes to help them deescalate, calm down. But if they're in an environment where they can't deescalate, it goes on for hours, lots of hours. And then you start feeling like, oh my god, people
are looking at me, people are judging me. then you choose not to go out >> to participate. >> And I I think an important piece going back to Pauline your your point um we want to make sure that it's available for like big events to make it inclusive
but like we also see a use for it at smaller events like the Kaplan Hospice House in Danverse. They absolutely should have a movie night with a marshmallow roast in the parking lot for families. You know, we can if if it You know, we're firm on the price point
because we believe in paying equitably for labor and skilled work. And there's plenty of market justification to charge what we are charging. We're not trying to make money. We're trying to have a sustainable um business that literally is giving back to the community through
its existence. But um like we see it as like my son um goes to a medically complex um school program where he has a onetoone nurse and it accommodates kids 3 to 22. I never see those families. Like I don't know who they are. I know who they are in school, but like imagine
the power of having like a a couple like all of SS County. I'm sorry. I don't know if Rubier's Essex County or not, but like having like a group of a group of schools from different towns get together and families meet each other. Yeah. >> And form connection.
>> Yeah. >> That doesn't that doesn't happen. And that's so important for whatever is coming down the pipeline federally in terms of funding for community support for public health. Like the Lobago is actually a way for us to start thinking
differently about how do we create mutual aid networks not just in our cities but but in in the greater like like Ellie said like in all of Massachusetts. How can we create events that are inclusive but then also have these opportunities for the disability
population to actually meet and share resources especially through an event that's joy focused so many times when we get together um it in terms of resources it's people are struggling that's why I love the all abilities days because I was meeting
people and like my kid was laughing like that was amazing >> he's so cute >> he's so The other thing I think people have to be mindful of is that and I was listening when you were talking is that accessibility is not a one-sizefits-all.
So an a an accessible bathroom for say someone an adult in a wheelchair who's able to will themselves in is going to look different than a child who needs to have or or a teenager or a young adult or
even an adult who >> grandparent. Yeah. >> And caregiver with them to provide that service. >> And so I think that, you know, when we talk in those terms, I think, you know, accessibility is not a one-sizefits-all.
Disability is not a one-sizefits-all. All ability is not a one-sizefits-all. There's so many variables that really need to be taken into account when you think about stuff like this. But you know having an event where and you know
you were saying Essex County where SuffK and in that >> sorry thank you for >> but no that's okay but but even crossing those county lines you know there no reason that it has to be just RER or just Lynn or just Sus or just you know
going west of Boston Malden and then over to Medford and then out that way you know there should be able to be that crossover with that that portion of accessibility, the the lenebago with the not just the bathroom
facility, but with the sensory >> and the language piece, the language piece is so important, too. The different modalities and different languages, no questions asked. >> It should just be there. >> I think that, you know, the more I think
about it, the more, you know, I am in awe of this and I think it's just absolutely wonderful. So, I congratulate both of you and I support you a thousand% and if I should hit the lottery anytime soon, you first to know. >> It is free. It is free to follow us on social media and share our page.
>> Pauline, you show you weren't the winner of Market Basket last week for the million dollars. >> Not it was not >> as Pauline said, not not um not one sizefits-all for all accessibility. And this is why I feel like our research
aspect of the renting it out and doing the research part will help us out for the ne next lenbago to come out because again not disability is not one sizefits-all and we need to make sure that we're covering all bases when we go to build our second one. We already have
a big change. We know what we want to change but we want more information. The more feedback the better and as we go it will get better and it will be accessible for everyone for all needs not just for a small amount you know I believe when when for we went we went
with access to community dignity and joy for our for for like what we're trying to achieve but for a while we were saying that um leneago designed for the spectrum of humanity which still works >> but that kind of captures what we're trying to do
>> right Um, and then, >> um, yeah, sorry. We've talked for so long and I'm sure you have other ideas on the photo. Is it Is it wheelchair accessible? Does it go down to the ground or does it have a ramp? >> It does. Oh, yeah. So, it's on hydraulics. So, that's what storage mode.
Lower it all the way. I wanted to make sure you explained that room has wheelchair access. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I just wanted to make sure that it would had access to get to the ground level for a wheelchair to get into it. >> I just wanted to make sure you pointed that out. >> Yes. when uh the daily item came down
and did the article the it wasn't still up and we had to keep reminding them that this is on storage phase. So once it becomes a vent phase that whole thing comes down to a point where it's just a small little lift, not too much. It's just all one even.
>> Yeah, the hydraulics affect the angle of the main entry ramp. >> Yeah, there we we know all sorts of stuff about >> pistons and hydraulics and yeah, >> we know more about toilets than we want to know. do that. >> Well, I appreciate you coming to the meeting and any members like I said, I
do have the slides. Uh she sent me all the information. So, just reach out to me and I will be able to email it to you um so that you can take a look at it. Um >> I just I asked that you not share it widely because that that's just a draft.
>> Um but um we'll we'll be having like a bigger like come meet the Lago we not touch a truck. We like to say like look at the linago. Um no pooping in it yet. Um but we might have like a big night where we do the more deeper market
analysis because I think and like we're going to add in um the questions that you all ask to make sure because if you have those questions other people are. So like again, as much as you appreciate us being here, like we are, we're not I think we're doing pretty good as entrepreneurs, but anytime we get to,
you know, like honestly interact with people and get real human feedback is so valuable to us. So thank you. Thank you for helping us. >> Thank you. >> Quick question to end. Have you um been contacted by any of the local CPACs to
do any kind of presentation to them as far as um the schools not to be in the not to have the leneago in the school but to present to like the river CPAC. I was just thinking that, you know, maybe
that you guys doing the same thing that you just did for us, but on to the CPAC might be a really good way for them to have one of their u meetings generate some some thought process as well. Yeah, we did do we did do a presentation like
a year and a half ago right after we got the grant or when we were going for the grant for a couple of like the Mass Department of uh like DDS and I think the local Lynn um parent advisory council for special ed. Um I
yes yes to that. I think um again you all wanted to hear about it so like you're seeing the version of our pitch deck before it's like shiny and new. Um, so I think not that we didn't need to be polished up for rever, but um we before we go to places that we could
potentially get um contracts with, we want to make sure everything's tight, especially when you're talking about school, like the way Maria and I have talked about like how cool would it be again with that that mindset of like how can we do like multiple city events like what if it was to live at Stone Zoo for
a week and schools could take field trips? >> What are they doing? Yeah, exactly. you know, like there's different ways like the more we talk about it and think about it. So, we definitely want school input. >> Yeah. >> Um but we can only go so fast as we have funding, >> right? >> So,
>> again, CPAC CPAC, we could they could always reach out to us too. Yeah. Since this was on Rea TV and they could see this presentation, too. >> Awesome. >> Excellent. >> That's fine. And if anybody wants to see this presentation or if you want to go back
and look at this, Lisa, you can go to Pre TV's YouTube page so you can take a look how it came out. >> Thank you. >> Get your you guys can get some your own feedback and see what you want to work with on it. >> No, I I appreciate it. I appreciate it so much. And just as long as you know
that like that's not the final version, we still have we're gonna we're gonna pepper in lots more facts. We're also going to cut things down. >> Yeah. Um >> less is more. more. >> A lot for two moms who talk a lot. >> We thank you so much. We really
appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> We wish you the best of luck >> and we will know Pauline will keep in touch. >> Absolutely. Yes. If anything new and exciting happens, we will reach out and let you know. >> Okay, great. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much for having us. Bye. Bye.
>> Thank you everyone. Have a great evening. Thank you. Uh, I am going to move on to um item number three and we're going to try since the meeting is a little extended go as fast as possible without going too fast if if everyone gets my drift.
>> Um, so next is um just any updates from Pauline since Marie's not here of any uh calendar future monthly guest speakers. I want to let you know that by next month um I will definitely let you know about November. Um I believe that the city is closed on the second Tuesday. Um
so mo mo most likely I don't want to say 100% but we we probably will not be having our November meeting. >> Okay. >> Um but um but I will I will I will definitely it it escaped my mind to try and call. I keep trying to look on the
calendar. Um since I'm not at city hall full time, I did I can't find the yearly calendar to see what dates were closed dates. Um, but I will try and reach out and find that out um before the next before the October meeting. I'll let you know and I'll let everybody know for for
in an email about that. Um, next um uh Amarie was going to do an update regarding the music therapy therapy program uh rex and rex but since she's not here there's been some email communications going on about it. We have the next scheduled dates for that
music therapy program. I am going to um I am going to pull it up and I'm going to share my screen hopefully. Let me see. Let me close this a little bit
and just let me know if you are able to see um the info about the music therapy workshops. >> Got it. >> Okay. So, this is the new flyer that's been put out for the music therapy pro music therapy workshops that we uh tried
to do over the summer, but probably because of the timing. Uh it didn't work well with people to do it. So, it's open to all families with a child with disability. Are you looking for ways to bring in music to support your child's development? Do they love music? Come to our workshops, find community, and learn
how to use music to address non-m musical skills. These work workshops will be led by board certified music therapists from the Community Music Center of Boston. Um there's three specific dates that are scheduled right now. It's Tuesday se uh September 30th
from 4:00 to 5:30. Uh Tuesday, October 14th from 4:00 to 5:30 and uh Tuesday, October 28th from 4:00 to 5:30. In order to um find out to to register for her or to find out any more information, you're
going to want to contact Jen Dugen at um at the Ree Rec Center and her email is right on here. It's jay dugen rever.org and you'll find out more information for it. I just want to let everybody know unless Pauline, were you involved in this at all too at the beginning?
>> Uh basically what this is, it's not music classes. Um this is is it's music therapy um for children. Um so for more information, please contact and reach out to Jennifer Dugen um at the River
Rec Center and she'll be able to um she'll be able to um give you more information on it. We're doing it in collaboration collaboration uh with the River Rec Center because they have more of a bandwidth for us, but it's being it's being run um by us through the
River Recreation Center. Uh they're graciously um helping us with all the logistics and all the leg work. Um and we are trying to see if we have uh it's the Community Music Center of Boston that's doing this. uh it's a very it's a
workshop to let people know about this and then the next step after that would be some classes but this is where you'd be able to find out any of this information. Um so um I apologize for not being able to give you a little bit more information on that. Um I had
passed this on to Amarie to help organize this with with Jen from the River Rec Center. Um but I think it would be very beneficial but please reach out for more information uh to Jen. >> Great. >> Um the next thing was on the update is I
will let me stop sharing my screen so I can get that off is just Ellie if to see if you were able to um ever find out anything from Representative Turko's office about the Riviera Beach Crossing with that letter. >> I went to the office. It's normally
empty. I'm gonna do it again this week. Tomorrow >> after my doctor's appointment, I will try again. >> Okay. >> Nothing so far. >> Okay. >> Um, so >> you just wanted to let this go. October,
we do have a guest speaker, Lauren be joining us to update us all on flu and everything public health and vaccines and availability and thoughts and presentations. So,
>> okay, perfect. Thank you. >> I didn't want that to go past. >> Thank you so much. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um item number four is the quota commission on disabilities alliance meeting but that was uh that was
scheduled for um September 3rd last week uh DPC which is the disable disability policy consortium who hosted the meeting uh mentioned that there'll be an upcoming hearing this month at the state house regarding a bill that will make the cost of hearing aids covered under the insurance companies. I believe um
DPC uh had put that uh information out today in a letter for when that specific hearing date is. Uh the hearing date was just announced uh and I'm looking at my email right now um to see when that date
was. Of course, my computer is freezing at the present time. Okay. And it is going to be uh let's see if I can get it open all the way. It is going to be the hearing date is going to be
Wednesday, September 17th at the Mass State House from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. They haven't they haven't announced the exact room number to be announced. Um the DPC's definitely heart of hearing
community organizer is Nina Silva um to to be available to help with preparatory and to schedule. Let's see what it says. You can email her or she can be contacted at 857-5982450. Um so I just wanted to let everyone know
about that. Um, so that email just came in right before our meeting when the date was set because they talked about it last week. Uh, also the Arlington Cood discussed the progress of their adaptive bike program. They currently have two adaptive bikes and recently opened their storage shed for them.
However, they are still waiting for the parks and their parks and Rex departments to acquire the necessary pedals for their bikes. So, that's what I have from the KOD meeting. Um, I'm going to move on to item number five. Any items uh if any items that came in
from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board was the MAB for variances. There haven't been any that have been sent to the city um for any upcoming variances from the MAD. So item number five, there was none. And item number
six, if there's any commission members lateformational items, um speak now or forever hold your peace. Um I didn't get anything. Uh so if anybody had anyformational items, not anything that we can really speak on um because we
need to stay into the uh proper rules and regulations of the open meeting laws, but if anybody has anyformational items that they wanted to speak on, they can. Going once, going twice. Okay, so we're going to move on to item number seven.
Item number seven was residents concerns and issues. Um the only thing that I've been getting um for some residents is I still been getting some calls regarding um people um requesting to apply through the review commission on disabilities
for handicap placard. Um I'm I don't mind letting people know and letting them giving them uh the link to the RMV, but handicap placards are only done through the registry of motor vehicles. Um where you go right onto their website and download their application. One
thing that I always always make sure that they know is there is an address uh poff box on the top of that application where it has to be mailed to. It does not go back to an RMV. It goes to that specific address. um once it's
completed, but also what I always tell people to do is make a copy of that application for yourself to have, especially that you're getting it filled out by your doctor in case it gets lost um till you have another copy. And it usually takes about six weeks before you
get it. But if you if you have questions that you haven't received it, there's also a phone number on that application that you can call and they will let you know where it is in the process. I've had a few people do that and they contacted me back to thank me that they
were able to find out that their um handicap placard application has been processed and their placard was in the mail and they should be receiving in within the next few days. So, I just wanted to point that out and just to let people know that again. Um, as just as a
point of uh point of information of of calls that uh we've been receiving from uh from residents and handicap handicap signs um facilit one second, we only facilitate the applications and the traffic commission. The traffic
commission alone are the ones that uh approve or deny handicap applications. >> Yeah. So, the one caveat I'd add to that, since it is going to an address, I'd recommend that people put certified or some sort of tracking, it's not that expensive to be sure that you get it
unless they get approved to have it faxed from the doctor. Uh, generally they don't take it faxed in anymore, but >> Yeah. Yeah. It goes to a post office. >> Yeah. Exactly. Which is why I was saying to do tracking because >> it things are getting lost. It happens, >> right?
>> To make a copy of it. >> Yeah. But even if you make a copy, if they don't >> So you don't have to go through. So if it gets lost, you don't have to go crazy and get to the doctor to fill it out. >> No, that part. Yeah. No, I agree. But I'm just saying in general, it can go missing. I'm just recommending that they would
>> add tracking to that or get it if there's a problem, contact the team. The team can maybe get it approved and then someone can fax it in and once they get it, then they can process it. >> Right. >> So, >> thank you. Yeah.
>> Item number eight is next steps. Um Pauline, I am just going to unless there's anything different, we're just going to carry over item number three as next steps for next month's meeting as we always have. >> Um item uh number nine is our reminder
if you wouldn't mind reading that as always because you do such a great job. >> Oh, thank you. The Commission on Disabilities office number is 781-2868267. Residents can also call Rivia 311 directly and speak to their staff Monday
through Friday. They will answer most questions, but if they are unable to assist you or if you prefer to talk with the commission directly, please ask to be transferred to the Commission on Disability direct number. Please leave a detailed message and we will respond to you shortly. As always, please don't
hesitate to contact us if you would like something discussed or added to our monthly meeting agenda. You can also let us know if you want to discuss any concerns. The commission is here to help and assist all disabled residents and their families in rever.
>> Um okay. So, um thank you. Uh item number 10 um is a meeting to adjourn. If I could have a motion made by someone to >> motion to adjurnn. >> Jason's right on it all the time.
>> Mario jumped in there for a second. >> So Jason and approved by Mario made by Jason approved by Mario. Again, I'm just writing down these notes. Um our next meeting via Zoom is going to be on
Tuesday, uh October 14th. um at 6 PM. Um I just wanted to wish a a happy holiday, happy new year to our uh Jewish um our Jewish residents of the community.
Um it's that it's it's that it's it's now that time of the year for them. Wish them the best. uh the upcoming holiday season. Um we will be meeting also we will be meeting after uh I believe if I'm like please correct me if I'm wrong
after Columbus Day and and Indigenous Day. Um if I'm correct please >> Yep. That is correct. That is correct. >> On October 12th. So wish everyone the best. >> It's the 13th. Yep. It is on the 13th officially is the our meeting is Yep.
>> Thank you. And hopefully I was I went didn't go too fast but okay for the rest of the meetings tonight. Um it was a great meeting and as always I appreciate all you uh fellow members commission members um for your participation and
help and I wish you uh the summer is over but let's hope the weather still stays okay for a while longer. Um and please wish everyone uh good health and any questions uh please feel free to reach out to us.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you everybody. >> Have a good night. Right. Bye.