Back From the Big Apple

Three Cabs
Originally uploaded by Zesmerelda

I’m back in Chicago after a simply spectacular trip to New York City. Here are some of my observations about accessibility:

• The Greyline double decker buses, which leave primarily from Times Square but stop all over the city, are wheelchair accessible. The buses have fold-out ramps and wheelchair spots on the first level. The stairs to the upper level are not overly steep and are equipped with nice handrails. If you can make the climb it is well worth the effort. For the most part, the Greyline staff is very accommodating if a little pushy with their sales pitch and completely oblivious at times. One of our tour guides completely ignored me when I got on the bus, and he missed my trek upstairs. So when T and I made our exit in the East Village, he was surprised that I “was the one in the wheelchair.” He said: “You don’t look like a girl who uses a wheelchair.” Humm. What exactly does that mean? I’m still baffled.

• SoHo wasn’t as inaccessible as T and I remembered. I think that’s because we knew what to expect this time. The killer curbs are still there. It’s just good to know about them in advance.

• New York is old, and that really does make a difference when it comes to things like architecture and curb cuts. The hotel room we had was very workable, but since the building was so old, the bathroom layout wasn’t ideal. Curb cuts are everywhere, but there is no guarantee that they will be on both sides of the street. And curb cuts are not well maintained even in high traffic areas. So it’s a bumpy ride. A very worthwhile one, but bumpy nonetheless.

• I didn’t double check accessibility at any of the restaurants we went to, and the staff at each place bent over backwards to make access as easy as possible. I was impressed. Having said that though, I can’t imagine getting around easily in an electric wheelchair in Manhattan. Spaces are narrow, and accessibility often means a piece of plywood over a flight of stairs.

• Living in New York is expensive, and it would be especially expensive for someone with a disability. I didn’t see one accessible subway station. Cabs would likely be the quickest and most efficient way to get around. It was hard to gauge the bus situation on a holiday weekend. My guess is that for someone with a disability to live comfortably in the city, they’d have to live and work in the same neighborhood, and chances are the more affluent neighborhoods are more accessible. Anybody reading this live in New York? I’d like to hear your take.