Needham Florist, known by community members as a go-to for all things flowers, was recently recognized by Needham’s Commission on Disabilities for modelling excellent service to customers with special needs.
The family-owned store was chosen based on a customer nomination, and presented with NCOD’s second-annual “Good Neighbor” award. Of all the awards Needham Florist has received (No. 1 regional florist and Top 250 Florists through Teleflora, to name two), owner Julie Ben-David said this one has touched her the most.
“There’s something going on in somebody’s life [when they come to Needham Florist],” said Ben-David. “And it doesn’t necessarily have to be titled as a disability — whether it’s anxiety, depression, a divorce, a passing of somebody, a loved one; we hear it and we see it every single day in our shop. So we try to make everybody happy the minute they walk through the door.”
Customers with noticeable needs are often gifted a balloon or stuffed animal, and are encouraged to touch the flowers on display. “Let them touch, let them explore; if a flower breaks, who cares?”
“Regardless of people’s level of abilities and backgrounds, gender, sexual identity or orientation, religion, whatever it is, we want Needham Florist to always be a safe spot for everybody,” Ben-David emphasized.
NCOD co-chair Karen Morales’ experience in another community-owned business, Serenity Nail Spa, prompted the creation of “Good Neighbor” awards. On days when Morales could not transfer from her wheelchair into the manicure chair, salon staff would sit next to her on the floor to finish a mani-pedi. “When I was there one day, I was sitting next to a woman who was blind. And she only came to the salon because they went out to the ride and picked her up … brought her into the nail salon, and they would describe the colors to her.”
“I get emotional about this, because this is the piece that can’t be taught,” Morales said, swiping at tears. “A lot of companies will help you, but they don’t help you with an open heart. You can feel that they’re annoyed that you’re asking for something different.”
NCOD goes to bat for Needham’s disabled community
“Good Neighbor” awards are just one way Needham’s Commission on Disabilities spotlights the needs and concerns of residents with disabilities. The volunteer-run commission is made up of eight individuals (and a town liaison), who have direct experience with disabilities. Morales describes NCOD’s role as connecting dots and amplifying issues.
“Some of these types of issues that come to our table feel impossible to solve,” she said. “So we have to do two things: we have to break it down, making it small and doable enough that people start to be like, ‘OK, I could see how that could happen.’ And then, push the momentum forward so that it does.”
One of the commission’s primary roles, she said, is fielding citizen concerns. Recently, NCOD connected residents asking for accessible viewing platforms at the NHS football field, and a family needing door openers at the high school, with individuals who could help make their requests a reality.
Accommodating those with special needs, Morales noted, does not need to be hard.
“You don’t have to bulldoze every building, but I think there’s always a Plan B. Like if you have two stairs to get into your business, get a portable ramp. Put a sticker and a phone number on your door that says, ‘If you can’t get in, call me and we’ll get you in.’ And if that really can’t work, then say, ‘We’ll offer car delivery.’ There’s ways to do these things more than just saying, ‘I’m sorry, it doesn’t work for you.’”
NCOD comes alongside Needham businesses and departments trying to improve — through autism trainings at Volante Farms, discussions with Park & Rec around the accessibility of new playgrounds, consultations with the Pollard Middle School Building Committee, and grant funding sourced from handicapped parking violation fines.
The commission’s concern and impact extend beyond the disabled community. If surplus in this year’s budget allows, members hope to organize a summer meet-and-greet with local veterans.
All of NCOD’s efforts, Morales said, are shaped by the reality that the commission is volunteer-run, with limited resources and oversight. Additionally, she added, disjointed efforts from similar groups across the state slow progress. “There’s so many commissions doing this work and nobody talks to each other. So if you think about trying to solve these big issues without consolidated effort, you start to ask questions like, ‘How is that ever going to be possible?’”
As a more “mature player,” Morales said Needham is positioned to share opportunities and achievements with others commissions, modelling how to effectively impact change for residents with special needs.
Collaboration, she emphasized, is key to creating a more accessible community — collaboration not just with statewide partners, but within Needham.
“It’s not about compliance training and a lot of rules and regulations,” said Morales. “I don’t think that works. It’s businesses asking the question: do you want to leave a positive impact in this community? And just leaning in a little bit more.”
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