Michael Sack Smooths Sidewalks in Minneapolis

A South Minneapolis man named Michael Sack is making strides toward sidewalk accessibility.

MPR News first shared Michael’s story. Michael has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair and communication device. He reported an inaccessible sidewalk on the city’s website, but nothing changed for a year. When he directly emailed a city council member, the problem was fixed in three weeks. This inspired him to create the Minneapolis Sidewalk Repair Hunters Facebook group and website, which has reported 48 sidewalk issues in the last year and fixed 29.

Michael has been heavily involved in accessibility advocacy in the city of Minneapolis, serving as a consultant and presenting plans to the city council. His next aim is to create an official board to expand the group’s activism.

According to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), the model of sidewalk design must reflect and accommodate users of all abilities, rather than a “standard” able-bodied individual with good vision and mobility. The USDOT also emphasizes the importance of smooth and even surfaces for pedestrians with mobility issues, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices like canes.

We are impressed with Michael’s dedication and impact, and we are happy to join his efforts to “pave the way” for all kinds of pedestrians!

Cover photo by Nayeli Dalton from Unsplash.

In the News, Legislation and Community Action

July 20, 2022

Joan Vaughn

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Written by Joan Vaughn

I’m Joan, and I know home care from the inside out. I’ve navigated my daughter through 24/7 home care nursing and managed her PCA’s. I’ve helped my parents move into (and out of) assisted living, Medicare episodes, skilled nurse visits, home health aids, and PCAs. Sandwiched in all of that, I’ve helped coordinate home care equipment and supplies, physical therapists, occupational therapists, county workers, and medications (oh, the medications). I know emergency departments, children’s hospitals, cancer wards, cardiac floors, and specialty units. I can recite health insurance policies (and call their bluff). I know a lot of other things in life too, like Shakespeare, where to sit to see a great sunset over a lake, how to keep myself healthy, how to read a profit/loss statement and state statutes, when to use a comma, and that gratitude is one of the keys to success. So I’m going to have this blog and write about home care from time to time. I’ll include topics like current legislation, professional boundaries in a tricky environment, and being a caregiver. I’ll also post some guest blogs from clients and nurses. Join me in the conversation.

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