For people in the Lower Mainland, a fresh snowfall is a beautiful sight. Waking up to a vista of snow-capped mountains on the North Shore is one of the wonderful things about living here. But for people with disabilities and limited mobility, snow and ice turn everyday tasks into majour obstacles. Sidewalks become treacherous, public transportation becomes unreliable, and even accessing essential services can feel impossible. While snow-related issues in the Lower Mainland usually don’t last for a very long time, they can shut our communities down in an instant.
The Challenges of Snow and Ice
1. Blocked and Unshoveled Sidewalks
One of the biggest problems in winter is poorly maintained sidewalks. When snow isn’t cleared properly, people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or canes are forced to navigate uneven terrain or risk getting stuck. For wheelchair users, even an inch of snow can be like trying to push through wet cement. Not only that, uneven sidewalks can look more even when covered in snow. Keep in mind, that cities can issue fines if walkways are not cleared.
2. Public Transportation Issues
Snow and ice can make bus stops and train platforms dangerous for individuals with mobility challenges. Slippery surfaces pose a fall risk, and when transportation services fall behind or are canceled due to weather delays, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected. Many people with disabilities, like the hard-working staff employed through our Jobs West program, don’t have the option to work from home.
3. Parking Lot Problems
Even when accessible parking spaces are available, they often become unusable in winter. Snowplows push snow into these spots or fail to clear enough space around them for wheelchair users to enter and exit vehicles safely. ‘Black Ice’ can be treacherous in parking lots, particularly in the Lower Mainland as during the day the snow melts due to the heat exhaust and then freezes quickly again.
4. Home Accessibility Struggles
For those who rely on our Residential Care Workers, snowstorms can mean canceled appointments, missed medications, and increased isolation. If driveways and entryways aren’t cleared, people with disabilities can be trapped inside their homes.
Winter doesn’t have to be a season of isolation for those with disabilities. With better planning, awareness, and community effort, we can make snow-covered cities and towns more accessible for everyone. Let’s work together to ensure that mobility challenges don’t become insurmountable barriers when the temperature drops.