We can do better helping disabled

Have you ever seen someone riding their electric wheelchair on the road? Maybe you chuckled, rolled your eyes, or scoffed. Later, you may have told someone about what you saw and how unsafe it was. That person must be crazy!

However, I challenge you to ask yourself: why?

Why was that person driving their chair on the road? Did they have any other options? Did you notice the sidewalk ended at the last intersection? Next time you are out and about in the suburbs, pay attention to the sidewalks. You will notice that sidewalks commonly end and restart abruptly, especially near highways or overpasses.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has an interactive inventory map of sidewalks in Chicagoland ( https://cmap.illinois.gov/news-updates/dive-into-new-cmap-sidewalk-inventory-data/ ). This map shows complete, incomplete, and missing sidewalks. The gaps between suburbs, usually separated by highways, are especially concerning. How is someone without a car, or who is unable to drive a car, supposed to safely get to the pharmacy, grocery store, or clinic? Even further, how is this person supposed to apply for and maintain a job? The PACE bus may be available, but its stops are limited, many of them are not wheelchair accessible, and entering the bus via wheelchair is not easy. Chicagoland must do better by creating a safe space for those without the ability or means to drive to walk/wheel/bike to get where they need to go. These individuals should never have to risk their lives due to incomplete or missing sidewalks.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in transportation and public accommodations - including sidewalks.

I encourage you to report deficiencies in sidewalks and their safety to your local ADA coordinator, and vote for public officials who prioritize the accessibility and safety of our cities.

Rachel LeDeaux

Lombard