Joe Prochilo

Joe coordinates Direct Access Consultancy’s Americans with Disabilities transition plan and audit programs for municipalities and educational provision across New England and New York State.

An Advocate for the City of Worcester, Mr. Prochilo developed a first-in-the-nation access survey criteria for Mobility-impaired, Deaf, Blind, and Low-Vision populations. He instituted an access Gold-Silver-Bronze program to recognize access compliance for businesses and developed initiatives in the housing construction market to increase the number of accessible housing units from 5% to 20% of all newly constructed housing to ease a 35-year backlog for affordable accessible apartment units in the city.

Joe leads a team of people with disabilities undertaking facility audits and barrier removal reports for local towns and cities alongside a statewide contract for Massachusetts. This includes the accessibility audit of educational provisions in schools across the Boston metro area and accessible housing in Vermont.

In recognition of his work, Mr. Prochilo was honored with an Outstanding Advocacy Award in 2019 from the City of Worcester’s Accessibility Advisory Commission. He credits his success to his unique experience of being someone without disabilities who later became disabled. He was recognized by being included in The Marquis Who’s Who in America 2022-2023 for his outstanding work and accomplishments in the field of Disability Rights and Accessibility Advocacy.