AMHERST — Amherst is celebrating Disability Pride Month, aiming to end the stigma of disability and make the town inclusive for all by issuing a proclamation, raising a flag in front of Town Hall and taking part in a film festival with two other area communities.
The Town Council recently adopted the proclamation affirming “that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity” and calls on the community throughout July to “celebrate the countless talents, experiences and contributions of people with disabilities.” This is to be followed by a flag-raising ceremony at Town Hall Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m.
District 2 Councilor Pat De Angelis said Disability Pride Month originated in 1990 with the Americans with Disabilities Act and celebrates people with disabilities, their identities, culture and contributions to society.
The free film festival will feature “The Ride Ahead,” to be screened by the Amherst Commission for Persons with Disabilities Wednesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bangs Community Center.
Already, “Patrice” has been screened by the Easthampton Commission on Disability at the Marigold Theater and “Tallywacker” will be shown by the Northampton Disability Commission on July 29 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Northampton Senior Center.
All screenings are free of charge and accessibility services will include closed captioning, American Sign Language interpreters, audio descriptions and wheelchair accessible venues, and people are encouraged to wear masks, if possible.
Visiting scholars from across the globe, in town as part of the Study of the U.S. Institute on Economic Empowerment program, recently learned about economic development and small business collaboration in a visit to Town Hall.
During a presentation that included leaders of the Amherst Business Improvement District and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the students, who come from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia, were able to exchange ideas for improving local economies.
During their time in Amherst and the region, in a program coordinated locally by the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts, the visitors also toured and learned more about the Amherst Survival Center.
Two more members of the Town Council are opting against seeking reelection at November’s town election.
Pat De Angelis, who has been on the council since it was first seated in 2018, announced she would be vacating her seat when her term is up.
“It has been an exciting, taxing and absolutely wonderful experience, and I will always be grateful for the chance I’ve had to grow and learn in this community,” De Angelis said.
District 5 Councilor Bob Hegner is also not running. Elected in 2023, Hegner previously served as a citizen member of the Finance Committee.
“It’s just getting to a point right now where I think it’s time for somebody else to step up and work for the town,” Hegner said.
Previously, District 1 Councilor Cathy Schoen, who also has served continuously since the inaugural council, announced she would not seek another term.
Feminist Generation Amherst, formerly the Amherst Young Feminist Party, is co-hosting with Youth Climate Action Now the 2025 Little Leaders Convention at Forest Park in Springfield Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The convention is centered around engaging and inspiring young leaders and is open to youths ages 10 to 13, with the focus of the conversations, workshops and activities on youth empowerment and ecofeminism. Each student should bring a packed lunch, though pizza will also be available. To RSVP, go to https://short-link.me/16Z1s.
The weekly Amherst Artisans Market held Thursday afternoons on the grounds of the Amherst History Museum on Amity Street, will be relocating for the remainder of the summer and fall as construction on the Jones Library gets underway.
The market is moving to in front of the Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., and will continue to be open from 3 to 7 p.m.
With little discussion, Town Council recently reappointed David Sloviter of Lincoln Avenue to serve as a full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and David Ahlfeld of Blue Hills Road to become a full-time member, with both to serve through June 30, 2028.
Hilda Greenbaum of Montague Road was reappointed as an associate member and Steven KaCey of Hallock Street will become a new associate member. Their terms run through June 30, 2026.
TUESDAY: Governance, Organization and Legislation Committee, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY: Local Historic District Commission, 6:30 p.m.