Snow filled inaccessible routes continue in a south Fargo apartment complex.  Why is this an important issue?  Tenants with some type of physical disability; whether permanent, progressive, or temporary, don’t have a way to get out of their apartment complex and into the community, they become prisoners to their home, at no fault of their own.  We get snow in North Dakota and Minnesota every year, so landlords should have a snow removal plan in place for.  It’s interesting because the walkways for tenants and visitors without physical disabilities are cleared almost daily, but the accessible pathway remains inaccessible.  Although we are at the end of January, there is at least 1 ½ months of winter left.  How long are those with physical disabilities kept prisoners in their own home while those without physical disabilities get their walkways cleared so they can have access to the community?

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Snow removal rules    

Maintenance

What obligation does a public agency have regarding snow removal in its walkways?

A public agency must maintain its walkways in an accessible condition, with only isolated or temporary interruptions in accessibility. 28 CFR §35.133. Part of this maintenance obligation includes reasonable snow removal efforts. (9-12-06)

35.133  Maintenance of accessible features.

(a) A public entity shall maintain in operable working condition

those features of facilities and equipment that are required to be

readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities by the

Act or this part.

(b) This section does not prohibit isolated or temporary

interruptions in service or access due to maintenance or repairs.

(56 FR 35716, July 26, 1991, as amended by Order No. 1694-93, 58

FR 17521, Apr. 5, 1993)

What day-to-day maintenance is a public agency responsible for under the ADA?

As part of maintenance operations, public agencies’ standards and practices must ensure that the day-to-day operations keep the path of travel on pedestrian facilities open and usable for persons with disabilities, throughout the year. This includes snow removal, as noted above, as well as debris removal, maintenance of accessible pedestrian walkways in work zones, and correction of other disruptions. ADAAG 4.1.1(4). Identified accessibility needs should be noted and incorporated into the transition plan. (9-12-06)

When weather conditions such as snow and ice limit or prevent access to services, programs, and activities, a town that houses programs in an accessible facility will have to maintain access to ensure that those programs are accessible. Maintenance of accessible features would include the removal of snow from accessible parking spaces, parking space access aisles, the accessible route to the accessible entrance, and accessible entrances. Although temporary interruptions in services due to bad weather are expected, alternate services should be provided if snow and ice cannot be cleared in a timely manner.

How a jurisdiction handles snow removal from sidewalks and paved shared-use paths is also an ADA issue. Snow removal is treated differently because of its temporary nature and because responsibility for clearing the snow is diffused. However, there is a legal obligation to remove snow within a reasonable period of time. Most jurisdictions need to have a plan in place to do it, and snow removal programs must include clearing curb ramps. Snow-blocked curb ramps due to plowing are an ADA issue. ADA complaints and issues related to snow removal involve response times and proper clearing:

• Many complaints are received when snow is plowed into “handicapped” parking spaces for storage.
• Many snow removal complaints come from residential areas, such as apartment buildings. If management does not clear sidewalks or parking lots, disabled individuals may be imprisoned in their apartments. Many more do not complain because they are afraid of possible negative repercussions.
• Snow-blocked curb cuts due to plowing are an ADA issue.

Most businesses know they are responsible for clearing the sidewalk. But they draw the line where the sidewalk ends and the street begins. “The City is responsible for clearing the streets.” After a major snowstorm, the dividing line between the street and the sidewalk gets confusing. The snow plows create the problem by pushing the snow away from the center of the street toward the sides.

As a result, a pedestrian may safely traverse an entire sidewalk only to find crossing the street near impossible. Invariably a 3 to 8″ thick and up to 6′ long section of slush, frozen ice and snow exists between the end of the sidewalk and the center of the street where the snowplows have cleared. No one is responsible for clearing this and they don’t.

The ADA generally does not require a State or local government entity to provide additional services for individuals with disabilities that are not provided for individuals without disabilities.  Ex:  ADA does not require a city government to provide snow removal service for the private driveways of residents with disabilities, if the city does not provide such service for residents without disabilities.