Over the winter of 2022-23, I am photo documenting inaccessible sections of sidewalks, crosswalks and curbcuts in the city of Ithaca. The purpose of this project is to identify ongoing issues of concern for residents navigating the city's pedestrian infrastruction. This is a personal project, unaffiliated with any organization. I am a private citizen with an interest in sustainable transportation, and am a vocal advocate for the needs of people with disabilities to safely access our pedestrian infrastructure all year long.
Click on an icon to see a time and date-stamped photo, with additional text to describe the concern in question. The clock icon indicates that the problem persists at least 24 hours after precipitation has ended.
According to the City of Ithaca's official FAQ, "Are property owners responsible for clearing ice & snow from sidewalks? Yes! Pursuant to the City Code, sidewalks need to be free from snow and ice for the full paved width of such sidewalk, 24 hours after the beginning of a snowfall." Even if property owners do not remove snow and ice in a timely fashion, the problems persist long after a storm. My understanding of the Americans with Disability Act is that ultimately the city is responsible for keeping this infrastructure safe (see references below the map). I have lived in Ithaca since 1997, and these issues have never been satisfactorily resolved.
-Armin Heurich, City of Ithaca resident