'Do your part': Disability advocates ask community to keep sidewalks cleared as snow falls
Walking over a pile up of snow on the sidewalk- it can be hard for anybody, but for those with physical disabilities it could mean getting stuck.
Disability advocate Darlene McGraw lives in Saratoga County and said overall she's pleased with the road crews' clean up job of this weekend's snow fall.
"Ultimately the sidewalks have been pretty good, but I don't want to curse myself," McGraw said.
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But some challenges present themselves year after year like snow-covered sidewalks and bus stops. The Capital District Center for Independence serves 1,400 people a year and says its clients are faced with these barriers every winter.
"We also hear about people who are in wheelchairs, and they have to go out into the street to get around the snowy sidewalks and that's dangerous for everyone,” said Executive Director Laurel Kelley.
McGraw adds just because the sidewalk has been cleared, doesn't mean the crosswalk is accessible. While showing a crosswalk push button surrounded by snow, McGraw said, "here's all this snow and stuff; I mean if you can't reach here. The snow is impacting our ability to push the button."
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Advocates at Disability Rights New York add an icy sidewalk impacts more people than those who have physical limitations.
"Emergency signage isn't always incredibly accessible and it might be difficult to read or see in different conditions; white out conditions, flurry conditions can be difficult to see,” added Senior Staff Attorney Jessica Richwalder.
Meanwhile different municipalities have different snow clearing requirements so advocates are calling on community members to be mindful and do their part this season.
"If you just take a little bit at a time, you're not going to have that much to clean up afterwards," said McGraw.
