how accessible is NYC?

[omeleteman]

I´m thinking of going to NYC on my holidays.
Can, any of you, tell me how accessible is the city and also say good (and not expensive) places to know there?

[omeleteman]

Another question that I forgot is: IS it possible to rent an adapted car in USA?
Here in Brazil, it is not possible.

[betheny]

New York is one of the older American cities, so it's not the most accessible. Forget about doing subways in a wheelchair. The cabs aren't w/c accessible like I hear they are in London. If you have a manual chair and a helpful companion to get you through tight spots (like to load your chair in the trunk of the cab if you have a moody driver) you won't have any troubles. There are chair accessible buses, but it isn't convenient imo. The drivers get attitude because we slow them down. Most of the tourist spots are accessible. What part of the city were you hoping to stay in? What time of year will you be going? You can rent cars with handcontrols in the US; you need to specify your needs to the car rental company well before you arrive though, at least a day or two in advance I've heard.

BTW, I don't live in NYC, I've visited 3 times in a chair tho. People who live there may have better info than me.

Can't stop the spirits when they need you/This life is more than just a read thru.-
red Hot Chili Peppers

[SCI-Nurse]

Fernando, NYC is probably one of the least accessible large cities in the USA. It is also expensive, and parking is VERY expensive (and hard to find) so driving there is problematic. Avis rents cars with hand controls with prior reservations.

Have you considered other US cities that might be fun for the holidays? Washington DC is more accessible, and the weather is nicer in the south or on the west coast. San Francisco is great at Christmas time, and is quite accessible. Good food, good hotels, lots to see (including art and theater), etc.

(KLD)

[omeleteman]

Well, to tell you the truth NYC is one of the places I most want to know.
I´ll be probably going in the middle of february and would very much like to visit tourist spots, do some shopping and know some of the evening programmes, including art, theatre and cool places.
But, for what I see, it is VERY difficult foi wheelchair users????
I may be going with my wife which could give some help with my manual chair. Any tips?

[Susan M]

Hi Fernando,
I've been to NYC 3 times, 2 times since my injury. I actually found many things about NYC accessable, so much so that all 3 visits were just as enjoyable. I was there in the summer, though, so it was easy to get around outside. February might be challanging due to the cold and snow.

I rode the city bus, did not attempt the subway. I found the bus drivers to be courteous. I don't recommend driving in NYC.

For info on lodging, etc. try accessabletravel.org or .com, I can't remember which.

Sue

[Liz321]

You need to speak with a travel agency that specializes in disabled traveling. New York City is very expensive. Hotels range from $150-$300 a night.

Broadway shows are fairly accessible. I would recommend Lion King.

Supposedly the New York City taxi and limousine service will be required to have accessible taxis in January 2005. I really wouldn't count on it. The buses are accessible but they follow specific route.

It is very cold in February and the chances of snow are high.

I would contact www.Unitedspinal.org (http://www.Unitedspinal.org). It is formally the Eastern paralyzed veterans Association and they have a lot of information that would be helpful to you.

*Join a Movement*

[omeleteman]

I haven´t had thought on the snow problem. That might be a great problem for wheelchairs right? Well, I´ll think a bit more on where to go, then.
Thanks a lot for those who answered.
Any further comments or info would be nice.

[SCI-Nurse]

Fernando, in Feb you want to avoid any of the northern states...they are likely to have snow. NYC would be better in May or June (no snow, not too hot yet). Look at New Orleans if you want a neat city with great food and no snow. You could even do Maudi Gras there and compare it to Rio!

Florida or California would also have a lot to offer in Feb. They can be cold then, but as long as you are not in the mountains in CA (like Yosemite or Lake Tahoe) you should not run into snow. Even Washington DC rarely has snow, but it can be cold in Feb. It is pretty accessible though and lots to do indoors (great museums, etc.)

(KLD)

[omeleteman]

So, KLD, sorry for disturbing you, but, Florida and California would be ok for a fly and Drive 7 day ride?
If so, what are the better places to go then?

[FREEJ]

Fernando, you received some very good advice. I live in north NJ, about 20 mins from midtown NYC. Yes, NYC is an exciting place to visit, it is the heartbeat of the world. But it is not very[UNDERSTATEMENT] wc accessible and when you ever do come here; it will greatly help if you have someone to help you.

If you must come to the USA in Feb:
,,,,,,NYC-- it is the thick of winter, can be very snowy and/or icey, it will most likely be FREEZING.
,,,,,,,Going to Florida or California is a MUCH better choice for Feb.

Enjoy your trip.

[SCI-Nurse]

Fernando, you could fly into either San Francisco or LA. If you flew into LA, here would be a suggested 7 day driving trip:

Day 1: Disneyland

Day 2: Drive 2 hours to San Diego on Hwy 5. San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park, drive to Point Loma to see the view of the city. Drive back to LA for the night.

Day 3: Drive from LA to Santa Barbara on Hwy 101 (2 hours). Check out the shops and restaurants and the wharf area. Alternatively drive all the way to Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo to give yourself more time the next day.

Day 4: Drive from Santa Barbara to Monterey along the Big Sur Coast on Hwy 1. If you have time, take a wheelchair tour of Hearst's Castle in San Simeon.

Day 5: Tour Monterey including the aquarium, 17 mile drive, and Point Lobos. Visit the Steinbeck museum in Salinas if you are a fan of his books (a VERY full day).

Day 6: Drive to San Francisco. Drive down Lombard Street. Visit Fisherman's Wharf. Eat!! Visit some of the museums or art galleries. Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Muir Woods to see the beautiful redwoods (accessible path).

Day 7: Either fly home from San Francisco (if you have a car with hand controls) or get on Hwy 5 and drive all the way back to LA (6-7 hours) to fly home if you rent an accessible van (don't know of any of these that will accomodate a one-way rental).

It would be a VERY full week, but do-able if you can get up and get going in the mornings, and don't mind driving and some late nights. Yosemite would be nice too, but you would have to have chains and some snow driving experience in Feb to be safe, which I assume you do not have.

You can get non-stop flights to LA from Sao Paulo but if you go out of Rio you may have to fly through Miami or Houston. Check out United, Varig, TAM, Continental and American.

(KLD)

[This message was edited by SCI-Nurse on 12-15-04 at 01:28 AM.]

[betheny]

And if you fly into Houston or Miami, you're in the South where the weather will be nice. Houston or Florida would both be great in February.

Can't stop the spirits when they need you/This life is more than just a read thru.-
red Hot Chili Peppers

[omeleteman]

Thanks a lot all of you nice people.
I´ll consider all those tips.
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Mike C]

I´ll second that access able web site. Great info there about NYC. If your driving a manuel chair, it´s an urban jungle, and you´ll be confronted with all sorts of pavement problems and curb issues. You´ll need some serious muscles marinara, but if I could do it, so can you. If your driving a powerchair, well then you will be ripping through Manhatten like a Humvee through Bagdad. And speaking of muscles marinara, don´t forget to check out Little Italy and feast on the good stuff. Don´t be stingy with the tip, or show disrespect to the inhabers though, or you´ll have Rocky whispers and Joey sack-a-potatos giving you the once-twice-thrice worka yous over, work over.

"So I have stayed as I am, without regret, seperated from the normal human condition." Guy Sajer

[Theophania]

lol mike!

were u born in germany...how do u know so much about nyc?

[NoDecafPlz]

Ok so is a powerchair better worse?

Joe

[Mike C]

Theophania,

I grew up on Long Island, about 1 mile east of the Queens (which is one of the 5 counties of NYC) border in a town called New Hyde Park. It´s a long story how I got to Germany. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

"So I have stayed as I am, without regret, seperated from the normal human condition." Guy Sajer

[omeleteman]

What is the adress of the website you´re talking about, MikeC?
Sorry, but as a Brazilian I didn´t get most of what you wrote here.

[Mike C]

http://www.access-able.com/dBase/search-north-america.cfm

Click on the state of NY, then scroll down the list to New York City and hit GO.

Sorry Fernando for the satire. Little Italy is an area located in Southern Manhatten. You can learn more about it here: http://www.littleitalynyc.com/

There are other great sections of Manhatten as well such as Greenwich Village: http://www.nycgv.com/ Chinatown: http://www.chinatownnyc.com/ ,Broadway (which is also known as the theater district): http://www.livebroadway.com/index.asp ,and Times Square: http://www.timessquare.com/ for example. As a tourist, these areas are almost mandatory. Use access able to orient yourself to accessabilty issues, and these other links I posted to get your curiosity up. If you want to be in Times Square for New Years Eve, don´t forget to dress warm!

"So I have stayed as I am, without regret, seperated from the normal human condition." Guy Sajer

[Liz321]

curb cuts are on most every street

*Join a Movement*

[omeleteman]

Well, unfortunately, I will not go to USA this year. By the way, for those who said that NYC is not very accessible, it may be difficult for me to compare because not good accesible city for Americans may be a good accessible city in comparison to Brazilian standarts, isn´t it?
Next year I´ll plan better, anyway.
for this year, Bahia will be my destination.
thank u all

[Bear1019]

Ok, I need to chime in. I work in NYC and have live in/around NYC for most of my wheelchair life. Yes, it has it's problems, but it is still very worth visiting, ESPECIALLY if you have never been.
Snow - the 2 foot snow storm here two weeks ago was cleared in hours! I was able to wheel to work with no problems at all.
People here, as bad of a rap as they get, are great. Granted, they dont smile and knod every second, (we;re busy people), but if there is ever a city where people offer help, NYC is it.
I lived in South Beach Miami for 4 months last winter. A juxtification to NYC in ever regards, but still doesnt beat NYC.
Fernando - dont get scared off. There are hundreds of people in chairs that live here and have fun/get around. If they can do it, so can we!
plus, with all the down-sides, seeing NYC for the first time is a fabulous experience.
I truely hope you can make it here.

Cheers,
T