Opportunity here for real innovation

RE "ADVOCATES say rights of disabled trampled": The governor's task forces on federal stimulus funding have hit on quite an innovative approach to spending for Massachusetts projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Waiving accessibility review (for people with disabilities) could certainly speed things up. Let's really put the pedal to the metal and waive all discrimination in hiring rules as well, and those darn safety and health regulations are such a drag on rapid spending, we should get rid of those too. No way should we let unions get in the way, either (and our money would go so much further if we hired children under 14 for half the minimum wage).

Real innovation, however, might be found in a better plan: Hire expert accessibility reviewers to work parallel with project designers and developers, and hand-in-hand they may be able to keep projects on time and budget and accessible. The Institute for Human-Centered Design in Boston (of which I am a board member) could scale up rapidly and help with the employment situation.

Wouldn't that be the kind of innovative thinking the governor's task forces could be proud of?

Larry Goldberg
Acton