TOLEDO, Ohio — Some neighbors struggle in ways many have never known, with simple things taken for granted, like using stairs or opening doors.
Mark Stringham, who lost both of his legs to vascular issues, said most of Toledo's doors are closed to him and he would like that to change.
"Everybody complains about the streets of Toledo," Stringham said. "I think they're fabulous. I do, compared to the sidewalks."
It's not just the sidewalks. Multiple restaurants and bars have a step-up to get in the doors. The Chop House on Summit Street has multiple steps and Stringham said he can't get in there either.
"Most of the restaurants, like Michael's and all those ones on Adams Street, you can't get in there," he said.
Stringham also said there is only one access to Promenade Park and the Maumee River, which is at the steep driveway at Madison Avenue. Stringham said a person in a traditional wheelchair would certainly fall.
He moved downtown a couple of years ago, thinking it would be great to go to the bars and restaurants.
"I think I can count on one hand how many buildings I can actually get into with this (motorized wheelchair)," he said.
Stringham said he even tipped over once. "I never want to do it again," he said. "I mean, it's not like I can go for help."
He has reached out to city government to complain about crumbling and uneven sidewalks and inaccessible buildings, but said he didn't get far there either.
"At least a dozen times," Stringham said. "I've left messages, and they never get forwarded."
In a statement, city of Toledo spokesperson Amy Voigt said, "It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In support of this commitment, the City of Toledo anticipates the return of façade improvement grant funds in 2024, which can be utilized to enhance entrance accessibility. Additionally, businesses may qualify for the Federal Disabled Access Credit designed for small businesses, or they may consider the Architectural Barrier Removal tax deduction as part of their accessibility initiatives."
But The Ability Center, which advocates for individuals with disabilities, said there is no deadline for businesses to comply with the ADA, which became law 30 years ago.
"It was passed in 1990," disability rights attorney Katie Thomas said. "Both local governments and businesses were supposed to develop a plan 30 years ago to update the premises to make them accessible."
Thomas, who is also director of advocacy at The Ability Center, said the center is working with the city on developing an accessibility plan for downtown Toledo and all cities and businesses need to work on making sure they are accessible.
For example, Thomas said if a business makes an improvement to its parking lot, that improvement must comply with current ADA guidelines.
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