Street Help to continue using wheelchair ramp as city clarifies bylaw rules

Street Help is told their portable wheelchair ramp is illegal, but they think it might be a misunderstanding. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

A downtown outreach centre says it will continue using a portable wheelchair ramp at its new dining room despite concerns raised by a city employee and new clarification from the City of Windsor about when permits are required.

Street Help volunteer coordinator Anthony Nelson said staff were told last week they could not leave the ramp in place throughout the day.

“The city said I can’t leave the ramp out there all day,” Nelson said in an interview on Monday.

Street Help recently moved its dining room operations to a new building on Wyandotte Street East, a couple doors down from it’s longstanding location. Nelson said the portable ramp has been essential for people with mobility challenges, including staff.

“Everybody that comes here — some can walk, some can’t,” he said. “We want everyone to be able to come in and enjoy a great meal.”

Nelson said a city employee in a municipal vehicle visited the site and told staff the ramp had to be removed unless it was being used at that moment.

“He was talking about, ‘Oh, you can’t have the ramp out there. Something might happen. You might trip,’” Nelson said. “If someone comes that needs it, we’re going to put it out. As soon as they’re done with the ramp, we put it away.”

The City of Windsor said it became aware of an “unpermitted wheelchair ramp blocking the sidewalk for several days,” creating a safety concern because part of the sidewalk was obstructed.

In a statement, the city said Bylaw 25-2010 allows a portable ramp to be placed for up to 30 minutes without a permit, but a permit is required if it remains longer. If a ramp blocks the full sidewalk, the city says signage must be posted instructing pedestrians to use another route, as required under the Ontario Traffic Manual.

Coun. Renaldo Agostino, who recently visited the dining room, said he believes there may have been a misunderstanding and wants to help find a permanent solution.

“I went down there to see what was going on because it’s very suspicious,” he said. “I think there was most likely a misunderstanding.”

Agostino said he witnessed a client in a wheelchair needing the ramp and helped staff set it up. “Keep doing what you’re doing because it works,” he said.

“Finding a full-time solution for them is something that’s on my mind to see what I can do to help.”

Agostino told CTV News he hopes the situation can be resolved quickly.

“There’s got to be a way… Let’s figure this out. Let’s help as many people as we can and move on to the next challenge.”

Nelson said Street Help will continue operating the ramp as needed while awaiting further guidance.

“You just gotta do what you gotta do,” he said. “If someone is handicapped or cannot walk and they’re in a wheelchair, we’ll definitely be helping them in the building with the ramp.”