People with physical, medical and emotional disabilities often face major obstacles in obtaining and retaining emergency shelter. The Breaking Through the Barriers Project was created in 2001 to address these issues systematically and practically by bringing together a diverse working group of shelter providers and disability advocates to develop and implement a common vision of an accessible shelter system. Several key steps have been taken by the Coalition and its members over the past few years to makes this shared vision a reality.

• In June 2002, Coalition members organized two regional conferences in Holyoke and Boston to bring together disability advocates and homeless shelter providers to identify barriers to services and develop practical recommendations for moving toward a truly accessible shelter system. Notes and Recommendations were developed from these conferences.
• Coalition members have developed a practical guide for shelter providers on reasonable accommodations with concrete suggestions on how to meet these requirements.
• Coalition members have compiled a directory of resources and services available throughout the state to help shelter providers meet reasonable accommodations requests.
• Coalition members are working with the Department of Transitional Assistance to distribute technical assistance materials to shelter providers throughout the state and develop an accurate inventory of accessible shelters.
  

For more information or to get involved, call the Coalition at (781) 595-7570