Commuting by wheelchair in Ottawa

AnaLori Smith says the commute is particularly challenging for people with disabilities, who have to contend with snow and the cumbersome Para Transpo system to get to work on time.

CBC Ottawa joined her on her morning commute to hear her perspective. Her remarks have been edited for clarity.

I'm 32 years old and I've been working for the federal government for almostthree months.

I use a wheelchair and during the summer months that's how I get around. I'll use that to getdirectly to work, and it takes about 20 minutes, door to door.

But during the winter, I mostly use Para Transpotocommute. And it can sometimes take more than an hour, even though it's only 1.5 kilometresaway.

The way Para Transpoworks on a casual basis isyou have to plan everything 24 hours in advance. Sothat'sa little frustrating, especially if you're a young professional with a more flexible working arrangement, or you want to be spontaneous in any way.

But my schedule is always 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., soI book all of my Para Transpo tripsfar in advance.

Here's what happens each morning. I get up at 7 a.m., and my tripis booked for 8 a.m. I get dressed, go down to the lobby of my building, and wait.

It getsfrustrating becausePara Transpo isn't all that reliable, even if you book in advance. I wait anywhere from half an hour to more than an hour, depending on the day.

Really, it's a compound issue. Part of it is the fact that it's winter and the sidewalks aren't clear. At least if the sidewalks were done, I would think, "Oh, maybe if [Para Transpo] is really late, I could at least take the city bus. The [kneeling] buses that wouldn't be such a terrible commute."

Butthe reality is that the sidewalks are often impassable for me, and I have no choice but to wait.

Then, when I do arrive downtown, there's another detourbecause of the curb cuts (the small ramps in the sidewalk that allow a wheelchair to access it).

I have to ask the driver to stop around the corner from my office, at a spot where I can get on the sidewalkand there's room for the ParaTranspovehicle to pull over.

Add it all together, and I've had several situations where I've had to call my boss at 9 a.m. and tell her that I'm going to be late.

In previous employment experiences, it has also been a challenge. In fact, that's partly why I now have a job working on accessibility issues for the government a job where they are generally pretty understanding about this.

As somebody with cerebral palsy, just waiting for the bus an extra two hoursday after daygives you fatigue. By the end of the day, once you've done all your trips, you're quite exhausted.

In the winter, I focus on my commute to and from work and have family and friends help with groceries or banking.

It's difficult enough having a disability and holding down ajob and trying to make sure that people see you as reliable.

It's even harderwhen your commute is very unreliable.

This is part of CBC Ottawa's special seriesNowhere Fast, a look at how and why people commute in the capital region.

We'll be looking at the people, numbers and stories that are part of your daily tripto and from work.