Residents with disabilities stuck in small cities face 'sense of isolation'
Winkler, Association of Manitoba Municipalities say province should kick in to help boost accessibility
When Karina Cardona Claros moved to a small southern Manitoba city several years ago to help take care of her partner's ailing grandfather, she never expected she'd also give up her freedom.
Cardona Claros, 38, has a spinal cord injury that affects her mobility and requires her to wear a leg brace — and taking care of her basic needs in Winkler, Man., has become so difficult, she's considering moving back to Winnipeg.
"The sense of isolation that comes with feeling like I can't just get out on my own to do things is very difficult," she said.
Winkler, about 100 kilometres south of Winnipeg, cancelled its handivan service two years ago, so Cardona Claros must rely on rides from others to get to work, buy groceries and visit friends.
The city of almost 13,000 isn't the only Manitoba community without transportation for people with limited mobility. Many municipalities lack the money — and the motivation — to make communities more accessible, disability advocates say.
In 2013, the NDP provincial government passed the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, ordering public and private sector service providers and employers, including municipalities and non-profit organizations, to remove barriers for people with disabilities over the course of the next decade.
Although it's law, David Kron, the executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba who sits on the steering committee for Barrier-Free Manitoba, said there's no way to ensure municipalities like Winkler are compliant and no financial support to help them meet the standards.
"The new standard that's been proposed — it's going to be hard for them to meet that standard. It's going to be hard for the City of Winnipeg to meet that standard," he said.
Part of the problem is the cost of change.
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities, which represents 137 municipalities, has been asking the province for financial support since the new standards passed, but hasn't received any money yet, president Ralph Groening said.
"We do believe in the principle that all Manitobans should have accessibility as full citizens in this province," he said.
The Manitoba Families Ministry said it isn't providing direct financial support to municipalities, businesses or other organizations, but they can apply for funding to support community projects and capital improvements. A website about the law mentions a government of Canada accessibility funding program as an example.
Surroundings limit independence
Although the city doesn't have a handi-van anymore, it has initiated ride services for events like community meals, Winkler Mayor Martin Harder said.
"It would be nice to have it all, but municipal dollars are limited, and we are looking for the right avenue that meets the long-term needs and is affordable," he said.
Tim Matthews, who is visually impaired and uses a service dog, said some changes have been made in the city that make walking around easier for him, such as rumble strips, flashing lights and sounds at some intersections, but more needs to be done.
Removing snow from sidewalks so he's not forced to walk on the street would help.
"That's not safe, especially for someone in my situation, when I have hard enough times seeing what's in front of me and I'm already dealing with the drivers and their ignorance," Matthews said.
Nick Klassen, who lives with cerebral palsy in Winkler and was consulted by the city on accessibility a few years ago, said the city has regressed.
"As a person with a disability, you always want to be as independent as you can, and when the surroundings limit your independence, it's kind of frustrating because there isn't much you can do to change that," said Klassen, who studies business administration at the local Red River College campus.
The neighbouring community of Morden has two handi-vans; they charge $14 within the city, but $45 to go to Winkler.
Klassen said that's too expensive for him as an unemployed student.
Cardona Claros said taking the handi-van was a third of her daily wage when she was working, so she relied on rides.
'Everyone's mobility is equally valuable'
For Cardona Claros, it's not just about getting around, but the inability to build community when you're unable to leave your home.
"Mobility is also about having somewhere to go — having a destination — and if you can't build those connections, then you feel very stuck," she said.
Winkler also lacks facilities such as accessible pools and gyms so she can maintain her health.
In April, she had developed so much tendonitis throughout her body that she couldn't turn over and get up on her own.
Cardona Claros was forced to stop working to focus on her health, she said.
"That was really shocking that could happen in an environment that doesn't accommodate what you need," she said.
Before moving to Winkler, she lived in Winnipeg and used Winnipeg Transit and Transit Plus to go to accessible gyms and indoor pools. She even rode a bike in summer.
Cardona Claros wants the city to consult people with disabilities in the area about what they need.
"Everyone's mobility is equally valuable," she said. "People should have the right to get around and visit their friends and do groceries and what they need to for themselves."
This story was gathered as part of CBC's pop-up bureau in Morden and Winkler. Have a story idea? Email Rachel Bergen.