"With city crews still working away to clear the snow buildup from Thursday and more flurries in the forecast for this weekend, disability advocates in Toronto say there's not enough support during winter weather events. Snowstorms lead to natural and human-made barriers that impact how people with disabilities navigate the city, said David Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance. Accumulated snow on sidewalks, bus stops and at the edge of roads are examples of human-made barriers that people often overlook, he said."
"Stepping over a pile of snow to get onto a bus is simple for those who can walk, but that's not the case for people with mobility aids or wheelchairs, said social worker Emily Chan. The bus ramp can't even go down over that pile of snow, so that also renders that form of transportation inaccessible, she said. Lepofsky said the province is way overdue to create a regulatory accessibility standard for all municipalities, as agreed upon through the creation of the AODA in 2005. He's also calling on the city to plan ahead by creating a registry of people with disabilities and how best to help them during winter storms."
City crews continue clearing Thursday's snow buildup while more flurries are forecast, and disability advocates say supports remain insufficient during winter weather. Snowstorms produce natural and human-made barriers that impede navigation for people with disabilities. Accumulated snow on sidewalks, bus stops and road edges prevents access and can block bus ramps, rendering transit inaccessible for mobility aid and wheelchair users. Advocates call for a provincial regulatory accessibility standard for municipalities and for the city to create a registry of people with disabilities to plan targeted assistance during winter storms. The city says sidewalks are now prioritized after roads and bike lanes.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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