[NFBSea] Seattle's snow response

Fri Mar 15 19:26:04 UTC 2019

We heard that the City and County are meeting next week to review the snow
emergency response.  In light of that, we're running this video ad
<https://rootedinrights.org/video/video-seattles-snow-planning-freezes-out-people-with-disabilities/>
targeting City and County elected officials and transportation planners.
Here are links to the video on Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/rootedinrights/videos/1976558532455631/?__xts__[0]=68.ARCfSpPEsoqoQYzxLk5y8cY5hOIJaDIoYlt9EHsnK6Z1yC4NW3sca60sE-CrpGdcbHy3H9LpW5ZEnuD7GsJdbk0mH9weBpl-CGtLbdQjYV7j0s8xyOo2nU-u4lCMGrdobwTiOLWmHjuUZNq1VjtsQAQJIQf2MvJpV3MbsW0NVZm7hEX85beP0jmveqlhpa833iaEM1UxdKs3znEzWv9R9CQH_aMqOVLBozYpkU_8Y4t-926zxgOQdA1Z4gkaiiLwdaB-Cy6do1AUR6RWmLh1ru0mVeXnAa__2z3swORG3o_TcC5gl-umNqhM0FCdUr40wZzU16mT_UGkkMnT5f1bzISsB8dm8XfMI6AWOw&__tn__=-R>
 and Twitter <https://twitter.com/rootedinrights/status/1106564625246638086> -
please like and share.

After releasing the video, we also go this exciting response from SDOT. If
anyone is interested in being part of the community forum, let us know.

-Anna
Shaw, Michael
[image: Attachments]10:02 AM (1 hour ago)
to me, Bill, Rodney, Lorelei, Sam, Holly, Genesee, Michael

Dear Anna Zivarts,

We have been informed of the concerns that you and your organization,
Rooted in Rights / Disability Rights Washington, have brought to Seattle
City Council regarding SDOT’s snow removal priorities and processes. Thank
you for bringing attention to this important conversation. We understand
that snow left uncleared from sidewalks can impact pedestrian mobility
significantly, particularly for people living with mobility disabilities.

Currently, under the Seattle Municipal Code, snow removal obligations fall
on residents and owners of private property that abut public sidewalks.

Per the Seattle Municipal Code
<https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT15STSIUS_SUBTITLE_ISTUSOR_CH15.48MIAC_15.48.010SNICRE>
:

·         *15.48.010 - Snow and ice removal.*

It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of private property to
remove snow and ice on the sidewalks abutting his or her property in a
timely manner and, if practical, prevent its becoming or remaining in an
icy, ridged, uneven or humped condition or in a condition which is
potentially hazardous to users of the public sidewalks.

(Ord. 117569
<http://clerk.seattle.gov/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s3=&s4=117569&s5=&s1=&s2=&S6=&Sect4=AND&l=0&Sect2=THESON&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CBORY&Sect6=HITOFF&d=ORDF&p=1&u=%2F%7Epublic%2Fcbor1.htm&r=1&f=G>§
121, 1995; Ord. 90047 § 39, 1961.) [image:
https://d.adroll.com/cm/n/out?advertisable=3HOOCY52NBC4PFDJRAMZZT][image:
https://d.adroll.com/cm/outbrain/out?advertisable=3HOOCY52NBC4PFDJRAMZZT][image:
https://d.adroll.com/cm/pubmatic/out?advertisable=3HOOCY52NBC4PFDJRAMZZT][image:
https://d.adroll.com/cm/taboola/out?advertisable=3HOOCY52NBC4PFDJRAMZZT]

SDOT is currently reviewing our public messaging and will be working to
increase awareness of the snow removal obligations of private property
owners. In addition, we are also interested in some community engagement to
solicit feedback from people with disabilities and their experiences
resulting from the recent snow storms. We are interested to know if you and
others may be interested in participating in this community meeting. If so,
we would be happy to work together with you to develop a plan to have these
discussions. We are also willing to work together on an ongoing basis as we
review strategies for the future.

We are currently exploring some opportunities that could address these
identified needs, while still complying with local, State, and Federal laws
and being mindful of our limited resources. Some of these potential
solutions may include:

   - Create a City Crews or a Volunteer program that responds to people
   that may need assistance removing snow at or near their homes for access.
   - Augment our pedestrian snow response to help Metro and Sound Transit
   clear their bus shelters.
   - Enforcement: Issue citations to the adjacent property owners of
   sidewalks, if they do not clear the sidewalks within 24 hours of a lull in
   the snow storm. People that are unable to clear their own sidewalks could
   be exempt.
   - Enhance our communication to businesses about their responsibility to
   clear their sidewalks.

Thanks again for your concerns and passing this information along. This is
extremely important, as you are aware, in providing and maintaining routes
that are accessible to and usable for all. I’m looking forward to hearing
back from you and working with you to brainstorm additional, potential
solutions.

*Michael Shaw*

ADA Coordinator

City of Seattle, Department of Transportation
<http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/>

O: 206-615-1974 | *michael.shaw at seattle.gov <michael.shaw at seattle.gov>*

Blog <http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/> | Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/SeattleDOT/> | Twitter
<https://twitter.com/seattledot> | Instagram
<https://www.instagram.com/seattledot/> | YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQBwSS0OpNLOmHeUj7v2GQ?view_as=subscriber>
 | Flickr <https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdot_photos/>

A*nna Zivarts*
Program Director, Rooted in Rights
Pronouns: she/her

Disability Rights Washington
315 5th Ave S, Ste 850
Seattle, WA 98104
206.324.1521 (office)
718.710.1773 (cell)

Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/rootedinrights/> | Instagram
<https://www.instagram.com/rootedinrights/?hl=en> | YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/user/RootedInRightsVideo/featured> | Twitter
<https://twitter.com/rootedinrights> | Blog <http://www.rootedinrights.org/>

Rooted in Rights tells authentic, accessible stories that create change.
Disability Rights are Our Rights!

Rooted in Rights is a project of Disability Rights Washington (DRW). DRW is
a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with
disabilities statewide. Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality,
and self-determination of people with disabilities. We work to pursue
justice on matters related to human and legal rights.

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