Handicapped accessibility in NYC

[Marie2]

Handicapped accessibility in NYC#0

Posted: 10/30/06 at 1:23am

I am in need of some information on whether or not the restaurants and hotels in the Times Square area are generally wheelchair accessible, and what the overall consensus is on how easy or difficult it is for someone in a wheelchair to navigate through NYC.
Any information or suggestions (for hotels, etc) would be appreciated as I have a friend who would like to go to NYC but is concerned about how accessible the city is overall.

[Unknown User]

re: Handicapped accessibility in NYC#1

Posted: 10/30/06 at 2:01am

Hey, I guess Im the resident wheelchair user.

Most of the restaurants on Restaurant Row are NOT wheelchair friendly and down 3 steps. The only restaurant row bar I visit is Joshua Tree which is sortve like an upscale sports bar and it has a wheelchair accessible bathroom too. There are a number of places to eat around that are wheelchair friendly, those mostly being the major chains- Chipotle, Applebees, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Planet Hollywood, Cosi, Hard Rock, etc. Then there are smaller places on 9th that wont have a bathroom, but youll be able to get into just fine- Renaissance, Vynl, West Way Diner, Blockheads, etc. I tend to frequent the gay bars but I can vouch for Therapy, Vintage, & Bamboo52.

I havent been to too many hotels in NYC since Im a resident but the Marriott, The W, The Q, and the Hudson all have wheelchair accessible rooms & bars. I imagine most hotels in the area will be, and theyre usually more than happy to tell you about their set up when you book. I would just worry about the smaller bed & breakfast/hostels/etc.

The Marriott's bathrooms are open to the public so if Im ever in a pinch I can head there. Also pretty much every Starbucks/ Barnes & Noble has a big bathroom.

I find Times Square very accessible. Probably the most accessible area of Manhattan (stay far away from the financial district). And if it isnt obvious, all bway houses have designated wheelchair seating and if they dont also have a bathroom, they can direct you to a nearby hotel.

[Marie2]

re: Handicapped accessibility in NYC#2

Posted: 10/30/06 at 2:57am

Thanks so much for responding. That was very helpful.

If I can trouble you for one other piece of information about getting around, I'd like to know how well/quickly the sidewalks are plowed in the event of snow. Do you ever have any trouble getting around after a snowfall or does the city get the sidewalks cleared fairly quickly?

[TomMonster]

re: Handicapped accessibility in NYC#3

Posted: 10/30/06 at 3:40am

By law, Marie2, every landlord, must remove snow in front of their buildings within a very short period of time after a snowfall.

As space restrictions don't allow for true access to handicap patrons, most places will do whatever they can to accomadate your needs.

Also, believe it or not, most New Yorkers will be more than happy to help out when they can!!

Hope this helps.

BTW: The Monster (another gay bar) also is OK for access. (just the piano bar part...the disco is a different matter...)

"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

Updated On: 10/30/06 at 03:40 AM

[Unknown User]

re: Handicapped accessibility in NYC#4

Posted: 10/30/06 at 4:07am

its true, a lot of places will be happy to help someone down 2-3 steps but ive found just as many are afraid of a lawsuit IF they help you (and drop you).

as for snow, Midtown Manhattan is ok, but its frustrating. The first day of an average snowfall it will be difficult but between the salt trucks and people shoveling, its usually cleared in Manhattan faster than it is by my house. The part to worry about will be the cutout curbs. Sometimes water/slush will settle there. Its nothing you cant overcome with a friend or a hand from a friendly stranger.