Street Help Defends Portable Ramp Use Amid City Clarifications

A downtown outreach centre, Street Help, will continue to utilize a portable wheelchair ramp at its new dining room location, despite recent concerns from a city employee and clarifications from the City of Windsor regarding bylaw regulations. This decision comes after a city representative informed the staff that the ramp could not remain in place throughout the day.

Anthony Nelson, the volunteer coordinator for Street Help, reported that staff were advised last week that the ramp must be removed unless in use at that moment. “The city said I can’t leave the ramp out there all day,” Nelson stated during an interview on Monday. Street Help recently relocated its dining room operations to a new building on Wyandotte Street East, not far from its previous site.

The portable ramp has been vital for individuals with mobility challenges, including both clients and staff. “Everybody that comes here — some can walk, some can’t,” Nelson noted. “We want everyone to be able to come in and enjoy a great meal.”

The situation escalated when a city employee visited the site in a municipal vehicle and instructed staff that the ramp should be removed when not in immediate use. “He was talking about, ‘Oh, you can’t have the ramp out there. Something might happen. You might trip,’” Nelson recounted. He emphasized that the ramp would be deployed whenever someone needed it, stating, “As soon as they’re done with the ramp, we put it away.”

The City of Windsor acknowledged that it became aware of an “unpermitted wheelchair ramp blocking the sidewalk for several days,” which raised safety concerns due to the obstruction. In an official statement, the city clarified that under Bylaw 25-2010, a portable ramp may be placed for up to 30 minutes without a permit. If the ramp remains in place longer, a permit is required. Additionally, if the ramp obstructs the full sidewalk, signage must direct pedestrians to an alternate route, as stipulated in the Ontario Traffic Manual.

Councillor Renaldo Agostino, who visited the dining room recently, expressed his belief that there may have been a misunderstanding regarding the ramp’s use. “I went down there to see what was going on because it’s very suspicious,” he commented. Agostino observed a client in a wheelchair requiring the ramp and assisted staff in setting it up. “Keep doing what you’re doing because it works,” he encouraged. He is committed to finding a permanent solution and stated, “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.”

While awaiting further guidance, Nelson affirmed that Street Help would continue to operate the ramp as needed. “You just gotta do what you gotta do,” he remarked. “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.”

This ongoing situation highlights the balance that needs to be struck between city regulations and the imperative of ensuring accessibility for all community members.