‘It’s just inevitable’: Accessibility around Medicine Hat hindered by ice

The recent weather patterns have made doing this more difficult than any time of year.

While the city has done the best they can, getting around the city is still a challenge, he said.

“We know it’s a Monday-Friday job, and unfortunately sometimes it snows on the weekend, there’s not going to be anyone available. Even if you do call,” he said.

Vaillancourt said that the city has been responsive when he calls otherwise.

Russel Vaillancourt grateful for city’s maintenance of snow. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

He said property and home owners are just as responsible to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, too.

Crystal Eichelbaum, co-owner and manager of medical equipment supplier Adapt Mobility, said that winter conditions in the city are “inevitable”.

“It’s the environment we live in. We live in Canada, we get lots of snow, and then we get the chinook like we have today,” she said.

“Now everything’s melting, causes things to be slippery and so I think it’s just inevitable.”

Eichelbaum said that it’s important for everyone to be cognizant of those who have a disability, who have different needs.

“There’s good samaritans out there that help everybody, so there’s people that help their neighbor,” she said.

“They go out shopping for their neighbor, or we’ll have some people, they drop off a client’s walker for us to repair,” she added.

“We’re actually getting called out into the community, we’ve gone to rescue a few people because they got stuck in the snow.”

Eichelbaum said Adapt Mobility will also make visits to clients homes, as they are unable to travel themselves.

She said that, with the unpredictability of conditions, the city has a huge responsibility and many needs to look after.

“I can’t imagine how hard it would be to budget for that when you don’t know if you’re gonna get dumped snow this day, or freezing rain this day,” she said.

“I do believe the city does a decent job at what they do. I know some clients have complained about snow being put in in handicap spots,” she added.

“The ramps not being cleared enough, or not enough melt- like snow melt going down. But for the most part, I think that everybody is trying their best.”

Vaillancourt said that the city and property owners being intentional and considering everyone’s accessibility requirements is important.

“It gets us out, not being felt like you’re trapped because it snowed,” he said.

Vaillancourt said that the snow and ice can make not only people with disabilities feel trapped, but the elderly as well.

He said the city has, however, improved with maintenance over the years.

“It’s definitely going in the right direction. And it’s not just for me, it’s for the elderly with walkers,” he said.

“Not sliding or breaking their hip type of thing. It’s improved every single year I’ve lived here,” he added.

“You just call them and, ‘yeah, we’ll see what we can do’. And within a day, they’re on it.”

Vaillancourt said that all he wants is his independence and city accessibility over the winter can act as a hurdle if not properly maintained.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘It’s just inevitable’: Accessibility around Medicine Hat hindered by ice

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