Handicap Access Not Shovel-Ready, Advocates Say

Advocates for the disabled are upset that construction projects in Massachusetts paid for with federal stimulus money may not be handicapped accessible.

The governor's task forces on federal stimulus funding, which helped identify billions of dollars in "shovel-ready projects," suggested that the state forego reviews of the need for handicapped accessibility to prevent delays.

Bill Allan, executive director of the Disability Policy Consortium, an organization of volunteer disability rights activists, calls it a "slap in the face."

The Boston Globe reports that activists are threatening legal action and planning a protest Monday at the state Architectural Access Board meeting.

An administration spokeswoman says the goal is to make projects accessible.