Staff writer
ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com
Washington Councilman Matt Staniszewski steered his wheelchair too close to the sidewalk curb Friday afternoon and almost fell headfirst into a weed-filled ditch in front of 11 S. College St.
Reacting, he did what most in wheelchairs cannot do and slammed his feet on the ground to stabilize himself, thus preventing a nasty spill.
He had difficulty pushing the chair over a small lip in front of another office on South College Street where one part of the concrete sidewalk had heaved up. As he crossed busy Beau Street parallel to College Street, his face took on a decidedly panicked look as traffic whizzed past.
Maneuvering a wheelchair around the city as part of Washington's Disability Awareness Day proved more difficult than Staniszewski had expected.
Joined by members of Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living, Staniszewski took a short training course from Michelle Brozinski, assistant deputy director at TRIPIL, who uses an electric wheelchair. Then, rather tentatively, Staniszewski began a slow roll down the East Beau Street sidewalk to College Street in a non-motorized model.
About 20 minutes later, he'd progressed as far as Citizens Library, two blocks away.
"My arms got tired," he said, taking a short rest in the library parking lot.
"This was quite a challenge," Staniszewski said, somewhat out of breath. "It definitely made me more aware of the need for proper planning for accessibility issues."
Members of TRIPIL protested last month at the city's police station, claiming they were unable to enter because of uneven ramps.
Sidewalks and entrances to businesses and offices must meet standards set by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. A few years ago, the city undertook a major renovation that included new sidewalks with curb cuts to accommodate those with disabilities.
However, Brozinski said not all cuts meet the requirements. Other curb cuts in the city are too steep, she claims. TRIPIL will be doing a survey of the curb cuts Aug. 15. Some driveway and alley crossings have lips, or heaved portions that impede wheels.
Brozinski said maneuvering in an electric chair is easier than moving in a manually operated one.
Staniszewski agreed, taking the second half of the tour in a motorized wheelchair. He added this was the first time he used a wheelchair and he has never needed to use crutches.
He hopes to establish a Commission for the Disabled.
Mayor Sonny Spossey said Thursday he is in the process of re-establishing the commission he first set up in 1984.
Michael Matthews of Washington has cerebral palsy and is a civil right specialist at TRIPIL. He does not require a wheelchair but experiences difficulty with steps and uneven pavement.
Churches are exempt from the ADA requirements, Mat-thews said.
"But we want to worship like anyone else," he said, adding he even has difficulty opening doors in certain county-owned buildings with what he called "old-fashioned door handles."
He is pleased the city is addressing the needs of those with handicaps.
"City officials need to react, not just to TRIPIL, but to the citizens of Washington. We pay taxes, too," he said.