Johnson County group asks property owners to clear sidewalks for disabled

Clearing sidewalks after a snowstorm is a responsibility all property owners in Iowa City mutually share and usually do well. But a Johnson County organization is asking property owners to think deeper when carving a pathway after a storm.

The Johnson County Livable Community Policy Board released a statement Tuesday asking property owners to make sure sidewalks are cleared wide enough to allow access for those with physical disabilities.

During a board meeting Tuesday, representatives from Access 2 Independence voiced concern about the width of some of the sidewalks in Iowa City after last week's snowstorm.

Access 2 Independence is an Iowa City group which pushes for the integration and self-determination of people with disabilities, according to its website. Executive Director Steve Gill said he wanted to call attention to an issue many people likely don't think about.

“We wanted to make people aware that just because [a sidewalk] is accessible for someone who is mobile, it might not be accessible for someone who uses scooters or a wheelchair,” he said. “And it's not just people with disabilities. Elderly people may need a wider sidewalk for balancing purposes.”

Gill said one of the group's members uses a motorized wheelchair, but was stuck in his home for two or three days after the heavy snowfall because his landlord did not clear a wide enough path for him to move through.

“In theory, the sidewalk was cleared for people who can walk,” he said. “But for someone with motorized wheelchair, the path was about four or five inches too narrow and he was stranded at home.”

David Beardsley, Director of Johnson County Public Health, said he believes Iowa City property owners have done a commendable job clearing driveways and sidewalks after the storm, but the group was simply looking for some public education outreach.

“We realize there was a lot of snow and people have done a pretty good job with it,” Beardsley said. “You and I might be able to walk on it, but just remember to think about those aren't as mobile.”