MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon didn’t make the list, but that’s because WalletHub’s survey focused on the 182 most populated cities in the country. Had the survey included cities in the 15,000 to 20,000 range, it’s quite likely readers would see Mount Vernon near the top.
The list was 2021’s Best and Worst Cities for People with Disabilities.
In late September, Laura Sykes, Ms. Wheelchair Ohio, visited the city to see how friendly it is toward individuals with disabilities. Accompanied by her boyfriend and caregiver, Fredericktown grad Seth Bennett, she visited the downtown area, Ariel-Foundation Park, Memorial Park, and Harmony Playground.
“Disabled individuals are the largest minority group in the world you can join at any time.”
Last week, she relayed her findings to city officials and Anthony McNeal of Main Street Mount Vernon.
“Mount Vernon is probably light years ahead of many small towns,” she said. “Everyone was open to talking, like they knew us decades ago. I love that feeling.”
That doesn’t mean, however, there isn’t room for improvement.
“One of the most significant barriers people face are dilapidated sidewalks,” she said. “The main area of Mount Vernon is great, and I really appreciate that. But the more residential areas are more difficult. People don’t realize how uncomfortable it is to maneuver over the bumps.”
“While the downtown [sidewalks] might be better, how are people getting downtown?” Bennett asked.
Relating to Public Square, Sykes said it is good there are sidewalks to several of the benches. However, the sidewalks are narrow and there is no room to turn around.
“I had to back out without turning around, and I have a power wheelchair,” she said. “In a manual wheelchair, it is more difficult.”
Additionally, the lower bench makes it difficult to transfer between a wheelchair and the bench.
Sykes said that the thresholds for many downtown businesses are level with the sidewalk, but some do have steps. Also, for some businesses situated on an incline, one side of the threshold is level with the sidewalk, but the other side is offset.
“Small ramps would help even the elderly,” she said. “Stairs are not available to everybody; ramps are.”
Although her wheelchair fit through the doorways (with a couple of inches clearance), Sykes pointed out that someone with a wider wheelchair would not always be able to enter. She also noted that after entering some of the businesses, there was was not much room to maneuver.
Sykes, who is paralyzed as a result of an accident in 2015, said that just doing the minimum to comply with the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) is not always enough. Extra things such as automatic door openers would be extremely helpful.
“As someone with a severe disability, how do I open a door? How do I pull on a doorknob?” she asked. “ADA compliant doesn’t always mean accessible for everyone.”
Sykes noted that some businesses did have door buttons. She also acknowledged that many of the buildings are older, which makes compliance more difficult.
Citing the former First Merit building on South Main Street as an example, Sykes said something as simple as posting a sign saying ‘ramp in the back’ would help.
At Harmony Park, which she loved, Sykes noted lack of sidewalks to the pavilion and restrooms. She appreciated the adult swing but said it is low, which makes it difficult to transfer into and out of. And in general, higher and deeper tables would enable individuals to get close enough to use them.
At Ariel-Foundation Park, Sykes pointed out lack of sidewalks to the swings. Although she did not want to use a swing, she said sidewalks allow her to accompany people who do want to use it.
In other communities Sykes and Bennett have visited, public transportation is an issue. In some cases, public transit can get someone to a location but cannot always pick them up. Sykes said that while some communities offer transport for medical appointments, getting to community events and other activities is difficult. They appreciated hearing from McNeal of Main Street Mount Vernon that Knox Area Transit is working toward on-call scheduling and offers village shuttles.
They also liked MSMV’s idea to hold a DD Day in the downtown area. The event would be exclusive to DD folks and feature things such as lower noise levels and open spaces.
Bennett said that many of their comments are “nit-picking.”
“There are more positives than negatives,” Bennett said of their visit. “A lot of our concerns are already in the works.”
“It would be great if Mount Vernon could be a shining light for accessibility,” McNeal said.
Indeed it would.
The next step
On Nov. 13, 2015, the vehicle Sykes was riding in was struck by a tractor-trailer. As a result of the accident, her spinal cord was shattered, and she has not walked since.
A 21-year-old restaurant server in Ontario at the time, Sykes’ life took a new direction. Initially unsure whether college was in her future, she considered it at the urging of her doctors and nurses at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She graduated with a degree in human services from North Central State College.
When she learned of the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio pageant, she entered and won in 2020. She competed in the national Ms. Wheelchair pageant this summer in Little Rock, AR.
Her platform was “Sudden Impact,” which emphasizes how one moment can impact every aspect of one’s life.
As she travels throughout the state raising awareness of the challenges she and others like her face, Sykes likes to quote comedian Josh Blue from America’s Got Talent: “Disabled individuals are the largest minority group in the world you can join at any time.”
She also wants to change the culture relating to disabilities, specifically the terminology.
Handicapped, she said, focuses on limitations. Accessible focuses on able to be reached or entered.
“I appreciate all of the efforts you have made to make it more accessible,” she said.
Sykes will become the coordinator for a state Ms. Wheelchair Ohio competition. She will be responsible for creating a board and committees and recruiting judges.
An offhand remark that Mount Vernon would be a good place to hold the competition might bear fruit. Because of the city’s accessibility, Sykes is seriously looking to hold the competition in Mount Vernon.
Also because of the city’s accessibility, she and Bennett returned to attend the Johnny Appleseed Festival this past weekend. They are also considering a future move to Mount Vernon.
Sykes visited Mount Vernon at the invitation of City Council member Amber Keener. Noting that the city is developing long-term plans for complete streets, parks, and other areas, Keener said, “I think it’s prudent to consider those with disabilities when we are looking at those plans. … I think it’s a lot of people working together on these projects to bring focus to the issues and address how the city can address it productively, not in 20 years.”
