A Little Awareness Goes a Long Way
Winter weather presents increased difficulties for everyone. Cold weather and heavy snow can create barriers for people with disabilities; however there are easy things to do that can make winter more enjoyable for everyone.
Make sure you clear the snow from the sidewalks, stairs, and ramps to your house shortly after a snowfall. If a sidewalk is impassible, a person using a wheelchair may be forced to travel in the street. Depending on the wheelchair, as little as an inch of snow and ice can make getting around difficult.
Parking lots covered in snow can also lead to confusion. Accessible parking spaces are marked with signs, but will also have an accessibility lane that is marked on the pavement with diagonal yellow lines – which may be covered with snow. Please leave room when parking, and keep the lanes clear from shopping carts and other obstacles. The accessibility lanes provide space for motorized lifts and ramps to operate safely and without damaging nearby property.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has emergency benefits for people who are facing a heat or heating related crisis and do not have the resources available to resolve the emergency. There is also a program to repair or replace furnaces. Questions can be directed to the HEAP hotline at 1-800-342-3009.
If you have a friend, family member or neighbor with a disability, who lives alone, or who may need assistance, check in on him or her after storms, during extremely cold snaps and power outages, and periodically through the winter. Ask if you can help him or her run errands or help with snow removal. You may make someone’s day.