Wintertime can be challenging for Islanders with disabilities, advocates say

Kevin Symes' wife likes to take their puppy out for walks, like many other Islanders do, but in the wintertime it becomes "too hazardous" for her to do that.

"My wife has visual impairments, so she doesn't walk outside in the wintertime just because she's afraid of slipping and falling, or tripping on a lump of snow that's left in the middle of the sidewalk," says Symes.

"Oftentimes, the plow goes by and then people shovel their driveway and they inadvertently end up putting snow in the path of the sidewalk."

The challenge of navigating winter conditions on P.E.I. with a disability is one shared by many Islanders. 

As of 2022, 31.8 per cent of Islanders reported having at least one disability, according to Statistics Canada's most recent data. That number is up 5.8 per cent since 2017.

For people living with disabilities in Atlantic Canada, accessibility is a major issue according to a report written on behalf of the Saint John Human Development Council. 

That's why advocates say more consideration should be given to improve the Island's wintertime accessibility.

Limitations on daily activities

Symes is the executive director of the Canadian Deafblind Association of New Brunswick. 

"Our staff try to keep our clients involved in community as much as possible," he said.

Sometimes that involves taking clients to malls and indoor tracks to be able to walk in a safe environment, Symes said. 

"You can find ways if you want to do your exercising and walking… but outside is probably not an option," he said. 

"People who have deficits in their vision certainly wouldn't be able to distinguish a lump of snow on the sidewalk." 

Icy and snow-covered sidewalks also make it difficult for people who use mobility devices, said Glen Flood, the executive director of Spinal Cord Injury P.E.I. 

"Some peoples' transportation is their power chair, for example," he said. 

"That's probably the number one thing we hear about at this time of year is navigating some of the sidewalks and stuff around town." 

In a statement, the City of Charlottetown said it recognizes that winter travel is difficult for all, but especially for those with mobility issues.

The city is currently developing a 10-year plan on active transportation, which involves further consideration of its standards for snow clearing and maintenance, the statement said.

'Get them cleared, get them cleaned'

Symes recognizes that municipalities are doing their best to keep everyone safe in the winter, but the east coast environment comes with certain challenges, he said.

"We're in the Maritimes, so snow is a fact of life," Symes said.

Even so, more could be done to create more inclusive cities and towns, said Flood.

"Don't think of it as streets are bad, the roads are bad. No — get them cleared, get them cleaned," Flood said. 

"Spend the time and energy and the money to do those types of things, because they're still human beings and they still want to be part of the community."

For those who have lived with a mobility disability for a long time, Flood said, the lack of action can take a mental toll.

"This is something that seems to be still there after all of the years of them themselves advocating for inclusion." 

Anyone stands to benefit from the opportunity to get outside and get fresh air, especially when the winter blues might be affecting their mental health, Flood said.

"The winter is definitely a time of year when we should be focusing on these issues and what we can do to make them better," Flood said.