KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sidewalks across East Tennessee are constantly being used. But after a snowstorm, they aren't always a first priority to clear.
"It can be very treacherous for people that use mobility devices such as wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, those kinds of things it is more difficult," said Katherine Moore, the executive director of the disABILITY Resource Center. "If you're someone who's blind and uses a white cane or someone that uses any type of cane, the ice can be and snow can be very hazardous, just like piles of leaves. In the fall when tons of leaves are left out on the sidewalk, that's treacherous too. So, it's important to always keep the sidewalks and ramps and everything clear of ice and snow and leaves and all of those things."
In Knoxville, the responsibility of clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk belongs to the adjoining property owner. In Knox County, crews maintain sidewalks on public streets, but they prioritize the roads over walkways.
"If you have the physical capability to do so, it would be nice for you to please shovel the sidewalk and put the salt down," said Moore.
When sidewalks are covered in snow and ice, people walk on the roads because they are usually clearer. But that doesn't make it safe.
"It's not ever safe to walk the roads," said Moore. "Especially, well, let's just say if someone is in a wheelchair, and they need to get in the street. There might not even be a ramp for them to get down into the street. It's just not safe. You can't go as fast as a car. Unfortunately, drivers don't look out for pedestrians like they should. So it's just not a safe idea for anybody to go on the road, especially somebody with a mobility impairment."
Kathryn DiPietro lives in Fountain City. She uses a wheelchair and she said she has a system that helps her when conditions aren't good.
"I have a ramp, and the ramp will let me ride out to the car," said DiPietro. "But I take a rug with me, so when I'm transferring from my wheelchair to the car, I can level the ground as far as ice."
She said she didn't go out much after the snowstorm because of road conditions. But, she said the conditions did pose challenges for her friends.
"I have a friend who actually had to go to the emergency room, and first responders took four hours to get to her. So that's really a problem, especially if you're having any type of health issue," she said.
She said another friend has been out of work because of the road conditions.
"I have a friend who works for DoorDash. She has not worked since December 11. Can you imagine the impact on her family financially? She can't get food in or out. There are no sidewalks where she lives," she said.
DiPietro says this issue impacts more people than many realize.
"We just assume everybody has a cell phone," said DiPietro. "We don't all have cell phones. Homes and elderly people aren't able to get access because of the limited driving and no sidewalks. People are afraid to get out."
DiPietro says accessibility shouldn't be an issue that divides us. It should unite us.
"I want people to know that we got to stick together," said DiPietro. "We're together in this, it's not a war. It's a chance for us to come together and to reach out to each other."