Town of Acton Commission on Disabilities Honors Discovery Museum

Inaugural Disability Awareness Award Celebrates Museum’s Leadership on Inclusion

ACTON — The Town of Acton Commission on Disabilities announces that it is awarding the Discovery Museum with its inaugural Disability Awareness Award. The award honors Discovery Museum’s leadership in removing physical, digital, and social barriers so that every individual can fully engage in the vibrant community life of the Town of Acton.

Pesha Kokis, Chair of the Commission on Disabilities, will present the award to the Discovery Museum team during a ceremony and reception at the Museum’s location in Acton on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 3:00 p.m. in the Discovery Woods Treehouse.

“We are deeply proud that the Commission is recognizing Discovery Museum’s work around access and inclusion, which is core to our 43-year mission to serve every child and family equitably,” said Discovery Museum CEO Marie Beam. “We look forward to a time when inclusive design of programs, spaces, and exhibits is the standard, and not worthy of special recognition. As has been proven time and time again here at Discovery Museum, when you provide one enriching, fascinating, and engaging experience that works well for everyone, we all benefit.”

With a mission to advocate for the rights and interests of those with disabilities and their families, the Commission on Disabilities is recognizing Discovery Museum for its achievements and concrete actions in five main areas:

• Leadership & Daily Commitment: Beyond public programming, the Museum maintains a culture of internal advocacy. Its 15-year-strong “Especially for Me” series serves as an example of strong adaptive programming, proving that sustained commitment yields measurable community impact.
• Spaces & Technology Built for All: The Museum’s Discovery Woods provides an immersive, accessible experience in an outdoor setting, ensuring high-elevation play is accessible to those who use adaptive equipment for mobility. The Museum building and exhibits are also accessible, built based on Universal Design Standards. The Museum also prioritizes access and inclusion via its website and online tools, ensuring all community members can navigate information and educational resources, including at-home STEM activities available in eight languages.
• Listening to the Community: The Museum utilizes Accessibility Advisors to refine exhibit designs and social stories based on direct community feedback.
• Reaching Everyone: Initiatives like the “EBT Card to Culture” and subsidized admission programs ensure inclusion for all community members regardless of financial background.
• Leading by Example: The Museum mentors other local businesses, sharing toolkits and best practices to elevate the standard of inclusion across Massachusetts.

“Discovery Museum’s transformative role in and beyond Acton demonstrates how cultural institutions and businesses can ensure the full participation, immersion, and fulfillment of all in our community,” said Leslie Johnson, Commissioner and Treasurer of the Commission on Disabilities. “By moving beyond simple compliance and toward a model of radical belonging, the Museum ensures that our town remains a place where every child and adult, regardless of ability, can explore, learn, and thrive.”

The Commission created the award in 2026, collaborating with the Town of Acton’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the counsel of the Town of Acton Select Board.

About Discovery Museum
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum for families that blends science, nature, and play. The museum and its Discovery Woods accessible outdoor nature playscape and giant treehouse blend the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus abutting 180 acres of conservation land in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. Originally founded in 1982 and expanded to two museums in 1987, the museum reopened in a single, 16,000sf accessible building after a complete renovation and expansion in early 2018. Hands-on, open-ended exhibits developed by professional educators
inspire curiosity and exploration, providing a fun and engaging experience for children and adults to discover their world together. Serving families and schools from towns throughout the region, the museum is devoted to informal education that enhances classroom learning. Discovery Museum is committed to accessibility and is a proud recipient of the Massachusetts Commonwealth Award, the only winner in the Access category, and a LEAD® Community Asset Award from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2024, the Discovery Museum was awarded a National Medal for Museum Service from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation’s highest honor awarded to museums that make “significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.” Discovery Museum is a community-supported non-profit organization.

About the Town of Acton Commission on Disabilities

The Commission on Disabilities’ mission is to make Acton a better place to live by advocating for those with disabilities, ensuring compliance with laws, acting as an educational resource, and building community. As an independent body, the Commission maintains liaisons to the Town of Acton’s Select Board and the Town of Acton staff. Founded in 1987, the Commission’s achievements have included increased accessible infrastructure at Town buildings and businesses, sensitivity training for local organizations, and an active education program in local
schools. Commission calendars, agendas, meeting minutes, and other information and resources are available on https://www.acton-ma.gov/90/Commission-on-Disabilities.