Inuvik is considering relaxing its blanket ban on ATVs and snowmachines on major roads to enable better accessibility for persons with disabilities.
NWT Disabilities Council board member Gerry Petrin addressed council with his concerns about the accessibility of services in town during their regular meeting Sept. 8.
SA国际影视传媒淚 moved to Inuvik in 1971 and we drove our SkiDoos to school,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭here were SkiDoos up and down mainstreet and every street in town. There were dog teams, there were everything. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think there was any more accidents then than there are now.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou go to a small outside community; it really doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 where you go in the small communities, those people are free. They drive where they and how they want. Their populations arenSA国际影视传媒檛 much smaller than ours.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 asking council to put an easement on persons with disabilities so they can get around easier and have equal access to the stores and give them independence.SA国际影视传媒�
He said the townSA国际影视传媒檚 current bylaw structure preventing motorized vehicles on Mackenzie and Kingmingya roads obstructed people with disabilities trying to access stores and services on those two roads. He added the City of Yellowknife has one street where ATVs and SkiDoos are prohibited.
During the presentation, he asked council to allow the use of ATVs, scooters and cart transportation devices on those roads for persons with mobility issues and to allow specialized parking close to the store entrances if the driver obtains a special disability permit.
SA国际影视传媒淣ot every building in town has handicap parking,SA国际影视传媒� said Petrin. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 what this whole disability thing is about SA国际影视传媒� to enable people with disabilities to access buildings as easy as possible.SA国际影视传媒�
Mayor Natasha Kulikowski told Petrin she spoke with chief public safety officer Cynthia Hammond about the current accessible parking spaces in town. She said the town is responsible for the parking spots along the streets, but parking spots on specific lots were the responsibility of the private business to designate an accessible parking space.
Petrin, who said he was asking on behalf of his son who was having difficulty caring for himself under the current situation, said it would be far easier if the town just allowed vehicles with handicap markers to park where they need to.
Senior Administrative Officer Grant Hood told council to implement the change would require changes to the townSA国际影视传媒檚 bylaws and make key decisions on which groups would be exempted.
Kulikowski added the call could be an opportunity to raise awareness around town about the need for greater accessibility for businesses and services.
Petrin said he hoped common sense would prevail and there should not be a huge problem with a few people driving smaller vehicles around town.
SA国际影视传媒淚n this case, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a golf cart that I have. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 electric, I think the top speed is about 15 kilometres an hour. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 got a good break system and itSA国际影视传媒檚 very sturdy.
SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to see my son have as much esteem as possible.SA国际影视传媒�
Town Council asked administration to examine options for council and said they would revisit the question at a future council meeting. Plans are also underway to survey the public if the ban on smaller motor vehicles on Mackenzie and Kingmingya Roads should remain in place at all.
