With the return of snow, it is time to talk about the one thing we can all do to make our community more accessible this winter: shoveling. People with disabilities can get around just fine all winter long if we do our part and clear our sidewalks.

But, we all know that there are a lot of people who just don't do it. I divide these people into a three categories.

The “I can get to my car” crowd

For these people, the rest of the world doesn't exist. They use a snowblower or a plow to clear their driveway, leaving the sidewalk undisturbed. Though the view out their front windows will be of a lovely pristine snow field, it forces pedestrians and those using wheelchairs to go out into the road.

The “Boot-path is good enough” bunch

We've all seen it. You live on a street where brave souls walk over an unshoveled sidewalk. In time they wear a narrow groove through the snowbanks. This is not good enough. Though it is technically possible for those with good balance and small feet to navigate these little ravines, it does little to let others pass. Besides being an impediment to those who have mobility disabilities, these narrow, uneven paths are treacherous for those with visual impairments.

Imagine if you were blind and utilize a white-cane. To use it properly, you sweep it in front of you in an arc that is about a foot wider than your walking path on each side. If you are walking near the “boot-path bunch,” you can't sweep in front of you nearly wide enough. Those with low vision or decreased depth perception can also have difficulty differentiating between a snowy path and a snowbank. Shoveling down to the sidewalk gives the coloration differential and width of path to let anyone pass safely.

The “Scrooge shovelers”

Have you ever been walking in the winter and seen a nicely shoveled sidewalk path that was only about two feet wide? Then you have been in the proximity of a “Scrooge shoveler.”

This lot will clear their sidewalk, but only one shovel-width wide. Though this is not as bad as the “Boot-path bunch,” this is not truly an accessible path. These paths also have a tendency to get narrower as the winter drags on, until you would have to be a circus tightrope walker to get through without falling into a snow-bank.

“Scrooge shovelers” need to remember that the sidewalk is a good standard for a path that is accessible for everybody.

Landlords who are “Scrooge shovelers” are also notorious for shoveling in front of their tenant's door, but leaving sidewalks in front of vacant apartments uncleared.

Remember, accessibility is like a chain: It is only as good as the weakest link. If you clear 99 percent of a path, but leave a massive obstacle at the property line, you are still forcing someone into the road.

This winter, don't be a stingy with your shoveling. Clear your sidewalks early and often.

Collin M. Sullivan is the ADA/access advocate for Options for Independence. He may be reached at 255-3447.