13 replies to this topic

[gsp23]

I have been to NYC a few times in the past as we have a corporate office there. However, I have not been there in the past couple years so last time I was there was actually 1 month before I became a wheeler. Anyways, the office is in Manhatten and I need to travel back out there again for work it sounds like. Obviously last time I was out there I didnt pay that close attention to accessibility as I was AB but trying to remember it seems like there are a lot of accessibility issues. I was thinking that many of the places had 1 or more steps to get into from the sidewalks, am I remembering incorrectly? I know that walking is a big thing out there which will actually be easier now cause NY'ers walk so darn fast I felt like I was in a marathon trying to keep up last time but faster in the chair now so thats not an issue. Going from point A to B there though is either walking or various modes of mass transit as well that seem like they arent that accessible either. For example, when I was out there last time I stayed in NJ. We took the ferry across the Hudson (dont remember if that area was accessible or not) then once you get into NYC there are busses there to take you into seperate areas (dont remember if they were accessible or not). I know there were cabs as well and that would be in option but trying to get an idea ahead of time the types of obstacles will be faced. If it was just me going somewhere then no worries cause I would cater to whatever I needed but I will be out there with a group of people and lunches we will likely go out as a group. I just want to be prepared for the discussion of "oh we cant go there because she cant get in" or the going to the restaurant without anyone thinking about it and me stairing at a couple of steps to get into the place.

Thanks for the feedback!

[disjointed]

Hi there,
I was in NYC recently and paying special attention to accessibility issues because at the time I was interested in a man who is a wheelchair user. The sidewalks all seem to have ramps, but NYC's sidewalk ramps are uniquely filled with at least an inch of watery muck. So, I'd recommend gloves and/or an enormous stash of handwipes. All my favorite restaurants, particularly those in the East Village, are in old buildings with many steps going up to the first level or down underground. If you stay more uptown, there are more modern buildings which should be more accessible (albeit more expensive). I essentially called my friend and told him NYC is not going to be the best place for us to hang out. If you need to go there for your business trip, I would advise doing plenty of research in advance as far as hotels and nearby restaurants. As for buses, I never take those in the city; I tend to use the subway system more. If you look it up online, you will see the stations that have elevators. You may want to call the station in advance to make sure the elevator is working properly that day. NYC is a tough place to get around on wheels.

Best of luck.

[Kev-O]

NYC is great i went there like 2 or 3 months post rehab an had no problems with anything. Its flat for the most part, the sidewalk cuts are all great, an the people are great an will get out of your way. I would love to go back real soon. Good luck an have fun

[rustytulip79]

I went to NYC last month (C4-5 Tetra) and stayed at Affinia 50 (147 E) if I remember correctly. No issues regarding access there or any of the umpteen restaurants I visited. Room had a accessible bathroom with roll-in shower with waterproof chair. "Daniel" one of the top restaurants required me to use the service entrance but it was more than worth it.

Getting around I used Access-A-Ride which is NYC's disabled taxi company. It costs $2 to anywhere in Manhatten but you need to arrange trips 24-48 hours before.

[gsp23]

rustytulip79, on Oct 7 2008, 06:29 AM, said:

Getting around I used Access-A-Ride which is NYC's disabled taxi company. It costs $2 to anywhere in Manhatten but you need to arrange trips 24-48 hours before.

Thats interesting to know. Wont work for me though cause it will be for work and will be with groups of people getting around, pretty much spontaneous stuff even what time we finish work for the day or start in the mornings. Too bad they dont do airport trips cause that would be planned times.

[rustytulip79]

gsp23, on Oct 7 2008, 04:00 PM, said:

Thats interesting to know. Wont work for me though cause it will be for work and will be with groups of people getting around, pretty much spontaneous stuff even what time we finish work for the day or start in the mornings. Too bad they dont do airport trips cause that would be planned times.

If you're going to the airport then just hop on the train at Penn station and then transfer at the air-train to the airport.

[gsp23]

rustytulip79, on Oct 8 2008, 06:17 AM, said:

gsp23, on Oct 7 2008, 04:00 PM, said:

Thats interesting to know. Wont work for me though cause it will be for work and will be with groups of people getting around, pretty much spontaneous stuff even what time we finish work for the day or start in the mornings. Too bad they dont do airport trips cause that would be planned times.

If you're going to the airport then just hop on the train at Penn station and then transfer at the air-train to the airport.

Thanks thats good info to have.

[Kev-O]

gsp23, on Oct 8 2008, 05:01 PM, said:

rustytulip79, on Oct 8 2008, 06:17 AM, said:

gsp23, on Oct 7 2008, 04:00 PM, said:

Thats interesting to know. Wont work for me though cause it will be for work and will be with groups of people getting around, pretty much spontaneous stuff even what time we finish work for the day or start in the mornings. Too bad they dont do airport trips cause that would be planned times.

If you're going to the airport then just hop on the train at Penn station and then transfer at the air-train to the airport.

Thanks thats good info to have.

I have been to penn station an road the subway both are great but make sure when your in the subway that you have your brakes locked an your sitting sideways

[gsp23]

Kev-O, on Oct 8 2008, 02:40 PM, said:

I have been to penn station an road the subway both are great but make sure when your in the subway that you have your brakes locked an your sitting sideways

Yeah I have been on the airport trams before which kinda are the same (some faster than others) and found that out. But subways seem much faster starts and stops and more jerky. I remember my first time riding a subway was as an AB and I just stood facing the front holding onto a pole with one hand. I went flying forward and back with each jerk of the subway car, probably pretty funny to everyone else, who I then realized were standing sideways. After you have done it enough times then you get used to the motion and can sometimes stand facing forward but not as a person who doesnt do it on a regular basis. The old Green Line in Boston comes to mind as one that is crazy starts and stops and would throw you all over the place.

[Kev-O]

i learned real quick about which way to sit an to lock my brakes lol. I got on the subway all is good i was not thinking an sat facing forward without my brakes locked (like having them locked would matter since i was facing forward lol) but the train took off i went rolling back wards i grabbed my wheels to stop them as a reaction but it sent me flipping back wards. i didn't hit the ground luckily i was by the door that people go from cart to cart an i just smashed into it hard lol. sucked when it happened but its funny now

[gsp23]

Sorry to sound insensitive, but that would have been funny as hell to see. If I was there I would have laughed first, then asked if you were ok I guess its different comming from a wheeler then an AB bystander cause we have probably all done something as equally dumb or embarrasing at some point in time.

[Kev-O]

gsp23, on Oct 8 2008, 09:39 PM, said:

Sorry to sound insensitive, but that would have been funny as hell to see. If I was there I would have laughed first, then asked if you were ok I guess its different comming from a wheeler then an AB bystander cause we have probably all done something as equally dumb or embarrasing at some point in time.

lol thats not insensitive cuz i would have laughed to. it scared the shit out of me tho lol

[HiltonP]

gsp23, on Oct 8 2008, 08:15 PM, said:

The old Green Line in Boston comes to mind as one that is crazy starts and stops and would throw you all over the place.

Yup! . . . we got caught by them back in 1996.

Got on board, with great difficulty, Loretta went forward to pay for the ride (like every good visitor to the city should), the train lurched off, and I flipped over backwards, nailing my head to the steel floor. Panic ensued because they were petrified I was going to sue them. All I was interested in was getting my eyes to focus, and my head to stop pounding!

Next stop the nearest MacD's bathroom to get myself cleaned up and wash the blood out of my hair, and they refused to let me use the bathroom because I was not eating there! Well . . . let's just say that Boston isn't on my list of cities I wish to see again . . ;)

[gsp23]

HiltonP, on Oct 9 2008, 03:23 AM, said:

gsp23, on Oct 8 2008, 08:15 PM, said:

The old Green Line in Boston comes to mind as one that is crazy starts and stops and would throw you all over the place.

Yup! . . . we got caught by them back in 1996.

Got on board, with great difficulty, Loretta went forward to pay for the ride (like every good visitor to the city should), the train lurched off, and I flipped over backwards, nailing my head to the steel floor. Panic ensued because they were petrified I was going to sue them. All I was interested in was getting my eyes to focus, and my head to stop pounding!

Next stop the nearest MacD's bathroom to get myself cleaned up and wash the blood out of my hair, and they refused to let me use the bathroom because I was not eating there! Well . . . let's just say that Boston isn't on my list of cities I wish to see again . . ;)

Ha, glad to hear I am not the only one to have gotten caught on that one!

I actually really like Boston though. When I first started working for the company I work for now I had to live out there for a month, they put me up in an apartment and gave me a free subway card. I got used to it out there and really enjoy going back to visit, even though some places arent accessible like China Town and the North End you have to look for restaurants you can get into cause there are so many that are inaccessible.

Never had the experience you did at a McDonalds but I can tell you in MN where I live I was at the fair and I had to go to the bathroom. I couldnt find any accessible bathrooms in the area that I was in (knew of some in different parts of the fair) so we just left the fair and went across the street to a Pizza Hut. We were parked next to it anyways and needed to make a trip back to the vehicle. Anyways, I went inside and someone greeted me at the door and I said I just needed to use the restroom. They told me that I couldnt if I wasnt a customer. I told them my situation and they told me sorry it was reserved for customers only. I told them that they can either call the cops on me or charge me for a small soda which I would pay for once I finished in the restroom and I went in anyways. I came out and no employees were to be seen so I just left