Improving access for people with disabilities in Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Cambridge officials are doing everything they can to make it easier for people with disabilities to get from one place to another.

“It’s a difficult thing for them to get around,” said the Owner of Maiden Maryland, Tammy Lynndee.

Community members say things like deteriorated and narrow sidewalks can present obstacles for those with disabilities.

“The other issue is all the bumps because of tree roots and maintenance requirements,” said the Cambridge ADA Committee City Advisor, Herve Hamon.

That is why city officials are working with students and local businesses to make these sidewalks more accessible to the community.

“We need a lot of eyes around town because there’s a lot of ground to cover,” said Hamon.

“It’s really important to us,” said Lynndee.

“We have several family members and close friends who are wheelchair bound,” said Lynndee.

So, local businesses are using measuring sticks to make sure people with disabilities have a clear path to move around.

“That allows them to easily measure the clearances on the sidewalks to make sure there is enough width for people in wheelchairs,” said Hamon.

Each stick measuring a distance of 4 feet for clearance.

“Their fantastic,” said Lynndee, “Before we had this we were just bringing out a tape measure.”

According to city officials, Poplar Street and other places will have poles, trees and fences on sidewalks, forcing some people with disabilities to get on the street where it is less safe.

“We’re ever conscious about making it a clear path,” said Lynndee.

It is a situation city officials say they hope to overcome while meeting new demands for a growing Cambridge.

“Our city is growing quickly and doing things like the accessibility around town is going to help it grow even faster,” said Cambridge Commissioner, Dave Cannon.

City officials say they are seeking grant money that will help the city expand its narrow sidewalks.

The Cambridge American Disability Act Committee will also host their first ever ADA Awareness Fair on October 12.

They hope to encourage more people to volunteer to help make the city more accessible.