I find it desponding how little has been truly accomplished in the area of accessibility for wheelchairs and scooters in this city.
The other day, I had to miss a bank appointment at a bank on Algonquin Road because the only ramp allowing access to the bank was blocked by a legitimately parked car. So I sat outside waiting until I realized what a waste of time it was and left.
I had mentioned the problem to a bank receptionist who clucked sympathetically. Yes. They were aware of the problem. They had “spoken” to the owner of the strip mall.
Spoken? I have been in Sudbury 29 years. That branch has been there with that same problem at least as long. This is a rich bank. With one iota of care for its customers could the bank seriously not have dealt with this? It simply means arranging a small ramp where the cars are not parked. That also goes for the Tim Horton’s in that same strip mall.
In another south end location, the strip mall with the Medical building at Four Corners has a wide paved path that leads down from the west corner off Regent Street. Unfortunately, it is frequently blocked because directly in front of the pathway are parking spots that make it impossible to get on or off the pathway if used.
At dry times, a rough attempt to go around on the grass can be risked but after a rain even that is out. Why have a path if cars can park in front of it? A painted X would guarantee access.
On Long Lake Road at St. Charles Road and McIsaac Drive, construction of a new building has played havoc with access to the sidewalk and path along Long Lake Road leading to the shopping area.
This has gone on for three years. I was assured it was “fixed” only to find after using using the newly installed driveway I could not get back up on the sidewalk on the return trip. The curb was too high.
I was stuck until I found a worker who guided me to a sidewalk on the site that allowed me an exit. The only other choice would have been a busy highway.
These are just a few examples in one small area. The sidewalk at 1855 Paris St. is sinking. There are so many areas that make it a continued challenge, but those we can ignore if they could just fix the ones that actually cut access totally.
Perhaps a trip by someone responsible for accessibility in this city might be taken on a wheelchair once again to actually experience the city street and roads instead of just taking the word that the problem is ‘fixed” or turning a blind eye or in the case of a bank passing the buck?
Rochelle Hatton
Sudbury