Accessibility In the Winter Months

Winter can be a challenging time for people with physical disabilities. What is a minor inconvenience for most can be hazardous for people with extra accessibility needs. It is essential that we, as a society, think of people at all different ability levels to make sure everyone’s needs are met.

A prime example of this is the result of snow plowing after a snowstorm clears the road but pushes the snow onto the sidewalk, leaving it unable to be used. Sidewalks are critical infrastructure for many people. If covered in mounds of snow from snow plows, they prove unusable and dangerous for anyone who tries to use them.

Another example is the lack of snow removal for individuals who cannot do it themselves. Hannah Soyer, in her article “Winter Accessibility Woes,” published by the World Institute on Disability, describes a situation where a friend was trapped inside their apartment for days because their driveway had not been cleared.

Situations such as this pose significant risks to people with disabilities. What if someone has a medical emergency but cannot leave their home because of the lack of snow removal? Soyer states,

“...proper snow removal is a legal issue. Under the Fair Housing Act in the United States, people with disabilities must be able to access the place they live in the same way non-disabled people do, which means an accessible entrance cannot be hidden, hard to get to, or out of the way. But when a pile-up of snow means some pathways to apartment buildings are not cleared adequately, this legally required access is in peril.”

The hazards associated with the winter months are not going anywhere, so we need to adapt as a society and take on the responsibility of ensuring that people with disabilities have the same access as non-disabled people. Whether it is making sure sidewalks are plowed or wheelchair ramps are de-iced, we are responsible for ensuring everyone has access to where they need to go.

Some of these changes should be made on the legislative level to make sure that areas have the proper resources they need to ensure that people with disabilities have the access that they are legally entitled to. However, we can also work together as a community to help our fellow citizens. We have a responsibility as a community to help those with disabilities have the accessibility they deserve. Help your neighbor this holiday season, and we can all have a positive experience this Winter.