Cyanne Westerman is a fierce disability rights activist. She’s advocating for more proactive measures to make footpaths accessible for people with mobility issues. Westerman told Creative Fund that in their current state, footpaths make access difficult. These added burdens can further exacerbate the isolation experienced by people civically disabled. Her crusade is backed by her identical twin sibling, Zia Westerman, a councillor in Whyalla who has the same incapacity.
The City of Port Lincoln even includes this specific issue in their disability access and inclusion plan. Similarly, Whyalla City Council adopts this recognition in its own strategic plan. National League of Cities’ Zia Westerman reminded participants of the unique obstacles local governments encounter. Yet they’re frequently hobbled by “red tape” and shoestring budgets.
Inaccessible footpaths are not only a hypothetical issue, but rather a literal safety risk and daily inconvenience for residents. Mount Gambier resident Kit Cooper, who was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) last year, tells her story. She reflects on how her perspective changed after her diagnosis, revealing the unseen challenges faced by those with mobility issues.
The Impact of Poor Footpath Maintenance
Sharon Morgan, an older person living in Port Lincoln, remembers her experience after a leg amputation in 2011. As a result, she’s had to make her way down crumbling sidewalks and poorly built curb cuts. Morgan points out that such conditions frequently force people like her to travel on a roadway rather than a dedicated sidewalk or path.
Many people who otherwise move with ease simply cannot imagine how it could be an issue,” Morgan said. This simple declarative statement brings to light a chasm of understanding that exists between the able-bodied and those with the need for accessible travel routes.
Dozens of impacted residents have previously spoken to ABC about their concerns. They’re frustrated by the continuing issues such as broken pavement, inoperable ramp access, and lifted concrete slabs from tree roots. All of these issues create huge challenges to mobility for anyone in a wheelchair or other mobility aid.
Local Government Responses
Both the City of Port Lincoln and Whyalla City Council have identified footpath and ramp access as critical issues in their disability inclusion plans. Cr Mislov of Whyalla drives home an important point. He argues that the city doesn’t have sufficient large-scale projects to keep its footpaths in good shape.
Mislov said, “Governments need to establish a guaranteed fund to give us more funding. Now that would be bold!” This call for dedicated funding reflects the urgency for more resources to address the challenges faced by residents with mobility issues.
Public consultation on the newly-released draft state disability inclusion plan started earlier this month, and will end on May 15. Until then, this initiative truly welcomes community participation. It highlights the need to bring people with disabilities into the conversation.
Advocating for Change
People like Cyanne Westerman and her fellow advocates across the country are committed to ensuring their communities are more accessible. They refuse to accept that local authorities, councils of governments and all state actors need to collaborate. If not, millions of Americans will continue to suffer from avoidable obstacles.
“I think it’s time for someone else to step in and help them do more,” Zia Westerman urged, emphasizing the need for external support to alleviate the challenges local councils face.
Phill Stone, who identifies as a part-time wheelchair user, shares his perspective: “As a part-time wheelchair user, I have become aware that a lot of the places that I used to frequent are inaccessible without support from a carer or a partner.” His experiences illustrate how important it is for our public spaces to be fully inclusive. They need to be equitable to everyone within our society.
