Cayuga County residents outside of Auburn can now apply to have accessibility ramps installed at their homes.
Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, Scott Pecoy with ARISE explained that the program sees volunteers erect ADA-compliant wooden ramps for low-income households where they are temporarily needed. While intended to be temporary installations, the wooden ramps are used in situations where someone is expected to need a ramp for a year or more, such as a person in hospice.
“We retain ownership,” Pecoy explained. “Our ramps are built in modular sections so they can be taken out, installed, and then when the people no longer need them, we go back; we pick them up; we refurbish them; we fix anything that needs to be fixed, and then we use them at other locations.”
Pecoy added that volunteers are always sought to install the ramps. Those interested in volunteering can contact Pecoy directly at 315-602-4938 or [email protected].
Those interested in applying can contact ARISE’s Cayuga County Office at 315-604-4046 or Pecoy using the above methods. Applicants are asked to apply on or before June 30.
Funding for the program comes from the United Way of Cayuga County. United Way of Cayuga County. Julisa Stone with United Way told Finger Lakes News Radio a need for ramps outside of the Auburn area led the group to add the program to the list of newly selected programs receiving funding this year.
“It’s actually one of the new programs we’re funding this year,” said Stone. “It’s been very successful for the other communities they serve and within the City of Auburn, but there’s a need outside of the city in Cayuga County. So, this year, they’re receiving dollars specifically to provide ramps to our neighbors in North and County South.”
County North consists of the Towns of Sterling, Victory, Ira, Conques, Cato, Montezuma, Mentz, and Brutus while County South is comprised of Springport, Ledyard, Genoa, Venice, Scipio, Niles, Moravia, Sempronius, Locke, and Summerhill. The City of Auburn and the Towns of Throop, Sennett, Owasco, Fleming, and Aurelius make up County Central.
