[Massachusetts-NFB] Cambridge Participatory Budgeting idea for blind residents/employees

[Helen Kobek]

Hello, folks,

Of possible particular interest to Cambridge residents or folks who work in
Cambridge.

The city of Cambridge government has for many years now had a process
called "Participatory Budgeting" (PB) in which residents can request the
funding of projects or paid positions of benefit to Cambridge residents.
Folks submit ideas all around the city, the ideas are sorted through,
developed, and a number of offered to residents next year for voting on to
implement. A small number are chosen.

Even if an idea doesn't make the initial PB cut, a good idea is sometimes
forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration and possible
funding.

Because of the intense, new development in building/construction, bike
lanes (some oe which go opposite to the traffic patterns,) etc., around
Cambridge, I offered for PB the idea of hiring a dedicated Cambridge-based
Orientation and Mobility instructor to be available to blind Cambridge
residents and to folks who  travel to Cambridge for work. My thinking is
that an O&M instructor who becomes especially knowledgeable about the
myriad changes around Cambridge could be called into the filed by any blind
person, for 1:1 training as needed to navigate the new complexities and
hazards around the city.

As the person who offered this idea, I would be contacted to answer
questions, if needed, by the PB reps or other department employees. If
you'd like to be notified and asked for additional thoughts/information,
please email me at helenkobek1 at gmail.com, and I'll include you and/or keep
you posted.

Kindest regards,
Helen
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