And not making one. It’s been snowing here and the city does not plow the streets often, but when they do, they leave large piles of snow that block access from the sidewalk to the street, and obliterate all ADA-required curb ramps.
Of course, residents and businesses are legally required to clear their sidewalks regularly or face a fine. The government owned sidewalks continue to be un-shoveled or un-plowed.
So on Thursday I contacted the Mayor stating that our city could not possibly be in compliance with the ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by leaving piles of snow and slush blocking every required curb ramp in the community.
As Zoe (my dog) and I took a walk at seven this morning, there was a truck plowing all the city sidewalks and curb ramps. Normally one has to wait months or years for government to take action, but mention ADA and they’re on it. I did this, and look forward to seeing, later today, whether they only did around our building or everywhere.
There’s a physical rehab center a block away (read Old Folks Home) and I’m always glad to see residents coming out in their wheelchairs for a breath of fresh air. Fresh air and needed mobility doesn’t help them unless they can cross the streets in motorized or hand-propelled wheelchairs. That’s what curb ramps are for. I can’t even bring my wonderful wheeled cart to the grocery store or take out the dog without perilous crossings.
On not making a difference, I spent all yesterday afternoon on the phone with a government agency and a certain express delivery service trying to find a package that was processed Wednesday and sent Thursday one-day delivery. I had the return tracking number that continued to tell me online that it had not yet been scanned. For four hours I pressed both and the government agency, at close of business, actually scanned and emailed me the document I needed, and the express mail service put a trace on the package.
Then I went downstairs at 6:00 p.m.and was told, “you have a package.” The document we needed had been downstairs all day and no-one emailed or called me to tell me it was there. My husband waited for me in the car downstairs while I came up and notified both the agency and mail service that all is well and they can call off the search. Egg on my face.
That said, I did help push someone out of a parking space on the street yesterday, my good deed for the day. But good deeds do not go unpunished. Me, the Buffalo gal, is telling two guys how to get out of the spot while dog sits on the sidewalk watching.
I tell the guy in the car to get out and push as well, then say “jump in and drive!” and he did and it worked and we provided a “runway” for the gal in the space behind them to get out as well. I’m quite sore today and now know why. Will I stop doing good deeds for others? Never.
The government agency that told me they only use regular USPS and it would take two weeks to replicate what they were sending me would leave me without a car for that time. As I moved up the ranks I spoke with a lovely woman, D, to whom I’m sending a grilling recipe for her family and she wants to meet me next time I’m in town. Honey, babe, not vinegar. Let’s see. What do I want to change today? Cheers! Dee
Cooking with Dee 