Nantucket Airport Completes Major ADA Overhaul After Random FAA Audit

NANTUCKET — May 8, 2026 — Nantucket's Commission on Disabilities heard a sweeping update on a completed FAA civil rights audit of Nantucket Memorial Airport at its May 8 meeting, with ADA Coordinator Brenda McDonough detailing months of near-full-time remediation work. The audit prompted seven new accessible parking spaces, van-accessible drop-off zones, paved accessible crosswalks, compliant airline and car rental counters at 30-inch height, updated emergency evacuation procedures for passengers with disabilities, and a wholesale overhaul of the airport's ADA website content including grievance procedures and a complaint form; the commission is now designated in writing as the airport's official accessibility resource. In other business, member Mary Beth reported both elevators aboard the Steamship Authority ferry Eagle were out of service on a recent crossing, trapping a wheelchair user in a vehicle for the entire trip, and McDonough said she would raise the matter with the authority. McDonough also reported that formal complaints filed with the U.S. Postal Service inspector general and the U.S. Access Board over the non-functional accessible door at the Pleasant Street post office have gone unanswered, and she committed to contacting town Building Commissioner Paul Murphy about possible local jurisdiction. Six new floating beach wheelchairs are expected at Jetties, Children's, and Siasconset beaches by Memorial Day weekend, pending completion of a required three-quote procurement process for purchases over $10,000.