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Wheelchair access
By Liz Lybrand

 

May 24, 2007
Thursday


I am not the only wheelchair user in town. Altho I use a big heavy powerful nearly-untippable chair, the sidewalks or the lack thereof make using my chair in the downtown area dangerous for me and others in my situation.

Most of the sidewalks in Ketchikan are narrow, slanted, broken, uneven, or non-existent. They are difficult and dangerous to negotiate in a power wheelchair. The larger wheels on my chair operate independently of each other. This makes the chair highly maneuverable but also difficult to control on uneven sidewalks. The sidewalk at the corner of Dock and Main (in front of Wells Fargo entrance) is so slanted that I am fearful even in my heavy chair.

There is a lack of wheelchair ramps onto sidewalks in many locations. When coming off the Schoenbar Trail and crossing over the bridge, there is no ramp onto the Park Avenue sidewalk. The sidewalk on the other side of Park Avenue fades out at about this point and I am forced to ride in the road.

I have expressed my concern to the proper city officials. Maybe we can get something done?

Liz Lybrand
Ketchikan, AK


Received May 24, 2007 - Published May 24, 2007

About: "User of motorized wheelchair for five years."

 

 

 

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