Reading's Office of Equity & Social Justice

06/12/2026

We hope to see you at the Town of Reading's Juneteenth event on the Town Common on June 20th from 1pm to 5pm

06/11/2026

Well, it has been a day. We sent out assignments and got plenty of useful feedback. Hopefully, we headed off some roadblocks thanks to some very generous hosts. More to come tomorrow. We are getting there folks.

05/30/2026

Hi Reading Community,
We are looking for some volunteers to help with our annual Juneteenth event.
We especially need help with the following:
1. Posting flyers- we have printed flyers in the Office of Equity and Social Justice, along with preferred locations
2. Day off support (see sign up genius for more information)
3. Tents
4. Lawn Signs- email Albert if you are interested in having a Juneteenth lawn sign

Email Albert if you have questions [email protected]
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FAAA82EA1FEC16-63715084-reading #/

05/21/2026

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, we recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)—a worldwide initiative focused on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities.

GAAD is observed annually on the third Thursday in May and is dedicated to getting everyone thinking, talking, and learning about accessibility—particularly in digital spaces like websites, applications, and online services. Today, more than one billion people globally live with disabilities, making accessibility not just a technical consideration, but a critical equity issue. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eiXhaGhD

05/17/2026

Hi Reading Community,

We are looking for some volunteers to help with our annual Juneteenth event. We especially need help with the following:
1. Posting flyers- we have printed flyers in the Office of Equity and Social Justice, along with preferred locations

2. Day off support
3. Tents
4. Lawn Signs-

Email Albert if you have questions [email protected]

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FAAA82EA1FEC16-63715084-reading #/

05/16/2026

Join us this May for free, walk-in blood pressure screenings with the Town Nurse!
Regular monitoring of your blood pressure is essential for maintaining good health and preventing potential health issues such as heart disease and stroke.

Three opportunities in April:
- Thursday 05/07 at 11am at the Pleasant Street Center (49 Pleasant St)
- Monday 05/18 at 2:30pm at the Reading Public Library (64 Middlesex Ave)
- Thursday 05/21 at 10am Frank Tanner (22 Frank Tanner)

For more information from our Health Department click here: https://www.readingma.gov/207/Public-Health-Department

05/16/2026

Most disability inclusion efforts fail for one reason:

They only address the part people can see.

The smiling photos.
The awareness campaigns.
The polished DEI statements.
The “everyone belongs here” messaging.

But underneath the surface?

People with disabilities are still exhausted.

Exhausted from:

• Disclosure fear
Constant masking
Proving competence
Inaccessible systems
Subtle ableism
Emotional labor
Tokenized representation
Lowered expectations
Hiring bias
Advocacy fatigue

(I’m sure I’m missing a lot here so add yours below)

That’s the part most organizations miss.

Ableism rarely announces itself loudly.

It shows up as:

The assumption
The inaccessible process
The lowered expectation.

Real inclusion means people no longer have to fight the system just to participate in it.

the goal was never just “accommodation”.

The goal is to build environments where they can fully contribute without carrying the extra weight of fear, masking, exhaustion, or constant self-advocacy.

05/16/2026

05/07/2026

Join the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support and the Reading Health Department next Monday for a free community Narcan training.

When: Monday, May 11th
What time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Reading Public Library
Questions: 781-942-6656

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BABA928A0FCC70-63048588-community

05/07/2026

Join us for our BIG Open House — you won’t want to miss it!!

Meet your local officers

Check out police vehicles & equipment

Family-friendly fun for all ages

Come see what we do, ask questions, and connect with your community.