redrox
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Aug 17, 2014 14:07:13 GMT -5
Post by redrox on Aug 17, 2014 14:07:13 GMT -5
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Aug 17, 2014 17:10:56 GMT -5
Tomny likes this
Post by matisse on Aug 17, 2014 17:10:56 GMT -5
Accessibility is not terrible but it should be a lot better for a city of such prominence. Most streets in Manhattan have curb cuts, but you do have to keep an eye out because some do not, so you have to double back. The cab situation is terrible if you need one with a ramp. They rolled out an app to call those cabs that initially was ok, but now it sucks. Personally I believe the drivers of the handivans are purposely rejecting requests to minimize their wheelchair customers while still keeping the handivan benefits (I think free gas is one benefit). I need to make it a point to write to complain, but either way with the new fleet coming in, there will be more. The only place you can consistently get a handivan in less than 15 mins is JFK.
Speaking of which, don't fly into Newark, it sucks and they don't have any cab handivans.
For hotels they are a lot more roll-in shower rooms than there were 20 years ago. Just watch out for room size, some rooms are tiny. I recommend the Marriott chain (including all their various brands) for sheer consistency in roll-in showers. However I also had a good room at the Times Sq Westin (no integrated bench), the Sofitel and the Palace.
The trendy meat-packing district isn't really worth a visit, IMO. I can get most of the restaurants in Vegas, with no wait and no dealing with the bumpy streets down there. And unlike in Vegas, it probably IS worth a call to NYC restaurants to ask about accessibility. I ate at one of Bobby Flay's places and the only accessible toilet was in the Ladies' room, so they had to clear them out and then block the bathroom while I used it. If I had known, I would have just made sure not to have to go.
If you have a power chair, my advice is to get a hotel near your areas of interest and just wheel everywhere. No cabs, buses or subway. If you stay in Times Sq there are many places within wheeling distance: Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Library, Grand Central Station, Empire State, of course all the Times Sq stuff, and even going to Central Park isn't too long. There's also Hustler Club a bit far but within rolling distance..... ;-)
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Post by matisse on Aug 17, 2014 17:15:23 GMT -5
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redrox
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Aug 18, 2014 13:33:43 GMT -5
Post by redrox on Aug 18, 2014 13:33:43 GMT -5
Great information Matisse! Your photos look amazing! Thanks!
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Post by lars on Aug 18, 2014 14:28:50 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the pictures and some great advice!
Visiting NY is certainly on my list to do some day.
L
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Aug 22, 2014 23:12:10 GMT -5
Post by BA on Aug 22, 2014 23:12:10 GMT -5
You're making me homesick Matisse.
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Tomny
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Aug 26, 2014 8:18:19 GMT -5
Post by Tomny on Aug 26, 2014 8:18:19 GMT -5
I'm a native New Yorker and I think Matisse was pretty spot on. I can't think of much to add.
A lot of the buildings and restaurants in Manhattan are fairly old so as he points out it's a little more important to check out accessibility ahead of time. I'm a power chair user and I have an attendant that has to help me use the restroom but it seems like even regular male/female accessible bathrooms can be difficult to come across. I wouldn't say ALL restaurants and shops are inaccessible vis-à-vis entry and exit so I don't want to give that impression, but you definitely need to figure out/learn where you can find an accessible restroom.
He's right on the money about the transportation. I would add that the bus is a pretty good option for wheelchair users in Manhattan and I have started using them a lot in the last couple of years. The traffic in Manhattan is terrible during business hours but after about 6 PM things really open up. The bus fleet is fairly new and most of them have a foldout ramp instead of a lift. They can get up and down the avenues pretty quickly. I think you could try the subway as well if you are a para. I'm a high quad in a power chair. I have taken the subway a few times but it's pretty bad. Very few stations are accessible so you have to plan where you will be getting off ahead of time; they really make no consideration to leave the subway doors open longer because a wheelchair user is coming on. You are pretty much competing with all the people and need to get on and off your train within about 10-12 seconds. But if you are one of those quick paras I think it can be done regularly. The elevator service can also be unreliable and notoriously unpleasant for scent at times. I just realized that after saying all these things maybe you want to avoid the subway :-)
A fair amount of the small old restaurants, bars and clubs are accessible in terms of getting in and out of them but you really want to call ahead of time and make sure. I'm sure you already do this but I think it's even more imperative here in the city. I think you can still do a lot and have a good time, just make sure to plan.
If you're up here when the weather is nice, Central Park's great. Museums are great. And there are various neighborhoods with a lot of young people walking around in the evening. The Lower East Side, the area around Union Square Park, anywhere around Greenwich Village, Soho, basically around West 4th Street – these are cool areas that young people tend to gravitate towards.
Good luck.
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