Case Stories
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ms G uses a wheelchair and does most of her shopping at a centre near her home. In winter, the ploughs have been piling the snow on the slope part of the curb, making it impossible for her to get through. For two years, Ms G has been trying to get someone to come out for a look.
She asked the Ombudsman for help in November. Ombudsman staff phoned the manager of road operations, who said he would go out to see for himself. On November 30, he went to see Ms G, going with her to see the exact route she takes to the shopping centre.
Result: The city staffer said he would make sure it was ploughed properly, so that her wheelchair could get through, and he gave her his direct phone number to call if there is a problem.
Ms G was happy when she phoned the Ombudsman office to report on the progress. She had a few more things she wanted the Ombudsman to investigate, but staff reminded Ms G she had to first try to sort out the problems herself, as the Ombudsman’s office is a last resort.
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