The Bay State Council of the Blind advocates for policies, legislation, and public initiatives that improve access, independence, safety, and inclusion for blind and low vision individuals across Massachusetts. Our efforts focus on removing barriers to transportation, civic participation, public accommodations, technology, and community life. BSCB collaborates with state legislators, community partners, disability rights organizations, and grassroots advocates to advance meaningful and lasting change.
The Bay State Council of the Blind supports and takes an active interest in the State Rehabilitation Council at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, which serves as the voice of blind consumers within the vocational rehabilitation system. BSCB members participate in this work to help ensure that programs and services reflect the needs and priorities of blind and low vision individuals.
Current Advocacy Initiatives
Below is a summary of key bills and policy initiatives that BSCB is actively supporting during the current legislative session. Each item includes a brief, plain language summary and a direct link to the full bill text.
S.2347 An Act Relative to Bike Lane Safety
BSCB supports this legislation to improve the safety of bike lanes and shared use paths for pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. The bill promotes thoughtful design standards, clearer separation between pedestrian and bicycle spaces, and improved markings to reduce hazards and increase predictability in public rights of way.
Read S.2347 on the Massachusetts Legislature website
H.2066 Service Animal Denials and Ride Sharing
This bill addresses the ongoing problem of service animal denials by transportation network companies and their drivers. It establishes accountability measures, including fines, for drivers who unlawfully refuse service to riders accompanied by service animals. BSCB supports this legislation to protect the civil rights, independence, and dignity of people with disabilities.
Read H.2066 on the Massachusetts Legislature website
S.2714 An Act Studying Discrimination in Public Accommodations
This legislation calls for a formal study of discrimination in public accommodations, including barriers faced by people with disabilities. The bill has passed out of committee and is advancing toward consideration by the full Senate. BSCB supports this effort as a critical step toward identifying systemic issues and informing future policy solutions.
Read S.2714 on the Massachusetts Legislature website
S.2379 and H.3634 Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility
These bills support the responsible development and deployment of autonomous vehicle technologies in Massachusetts. BSCB advocates for provisions that ensure autonomous vehicles are accessible, usable, and beneficial to people who are blind or have low vision, promoting equitable access to emerging transportation options.
Read S.2379 on the Massachusetts Legislature website
Read H.3634 on the Massachusetts Legislature website
Accessible Voting Equipment Advocacy
BSCB remains committed to ensuring that voting continues to be fully accessible, independent, and private for voters who are blind or low vision. As Massachusetts looks ahead to the next generation of voting equipment, BSCB emphasizes the importance of preserving existing accessible voting options while updating and improving the technology used to deliver them. BSCB works with partner organizations and election officials to advocate for accessible ballot marking devices and inclusive design standards. This includes maintaining and strengthening access to accessible vote by mail options, such as online ballot receipt, accessible electronic ballot marking, and the ability to return ballots in accessible electronic formats for statewide and many municipal elections.
As the Massachusetts state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, BSCB also encourages members and the public to learn more about federal advocacy efforts affecting blind and low vision individuals nationwide. Information about national policy priorities and advocacy initiatives can be found on the American Council of the Blind Advocacy page