How handicap friendly is NYC?

Question

This is a follow up to my earlier question, how accesible is NYC to someone in a wheelchair

Answer 1

My father usually uses a wheelchair. There are a few subways that have elevators, but they are few and far between - 34th Street, Times Square, Boro Hall in Brooklyn and, the new Coney Island terminal that was recently redone has ramps leading to every platform. So, subway travel is close to impossible for someone who uses a chair. On the other hand, the buses are great - they almost all use lifts, and it's very easy to use a bus - the driver operates the lift and then straps the chair in, always asks where you want to get off and at that stops, unhooks the chair.

My father can't go to any restaurant where the restrooms are down a flight of stairs - we usually check that out first. Sometimes, they are really nice - the first time we ate at Craftbar, we found out that the bathrooms are down a flight of stairs - they showed my father to the employee bathroom which is on the restaurant level. Most restaurant employees have gone out of their way to be helpful.

All streets have cuts at the curb. Some of the sidewalks are in terrible shape and I used to have a lot of trouble pushing the chair over the cracks and holes. A very nice woman saw me struggling one day and she whispered "turn the chair around, it will be easier" - and it is easier to maneuver backwards.

My father can use any bathroom as long as no stairs are involved - he leaves the chair outside and walks in. What he does have difficulty with is a bathtub. At home, he has a stall shower with safety bars, but on the few occasions that he stays somewhere else overnight, he has trouble stepping into a tub.

I've wheeled him around stores, and we haven't hit any problems there and the theatres have all been accommodating..

On the whole, I think New York is pretty accessible.

Answer 2

Well, they say the subway system is handicap-friendly and all, and they do have elevators, but most of them are down most of the time, and not all stations have them, so do your research thoroughly before taking the subway. The buses will accomodate wheelchairs, on the other hand. I recommend taking the bus if you're going to use public transportation.
Have fun!

Answer 3

Our buses are handicap friendly, to someone in a wheelchair.

Answer 4

I was there a few years ago with my chair and did not have a hard time getting to the best places to see most of ny is handi friendly