Why does nobody talk about how hard it is to find wheelchair-friendly sidewalks in older neighborhoods?

I tried to roll my chair down Maple Street in Pittsburgh last Tuesday for a quick errand, and hit three cracked sections that nearly tipped me over. One slab was sticking up a good 2 inches, and the ramp at the corner was blocked by a parked van. Learned that even a short trip can turn into a workout when nobody maintains the concrete. Has anyone else dealt with sidewalks that just don't work for mobility aids?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor_mitchell8028d ago

That van blocking the ramp on Maple Street is exactly the kind of thoughtlessness @wade780 nailed. I counted five driveways on my block last week where cars were parked right over the curb cut, making it useless for anyone in a chair. It shows how little people who don't use mobility aids notice the basic stuff that keeps us safe moving around.

wade78028d ago

Wow, a parked van completely blocking the ramp? That's just ridiculous. It's like people don't even think about anyone who can't just step over the curb. I've had similar issues in my town where the ramps are either too steep or just end in a big puddle of water. Makes you wonder if the people who design these things ever actually have to use them.