Visiting New York City in a Wheelchair - Tips and Commentary

New York City offers many opportunities for visitors using wheelchairs. It is probably one of the easiest cities to get around on four wheels.

If you drive or have someone driving you, you will find a full-sized van more difficult than a minivan or smaller vehicle. There is some open parking lots and limited street parking. Most parking spaces are located in parking garages which cannot accommodate the raised roofs of wheelchair accessible vans. Also, be prepared to pay to use both the lots and garages (They are not cheap!) and to deal with New York City traffic.

However, there are other ways to get into and around the Big Apple -- even in your wheelchair.

Pennsylvania Station is completely wheelchair accessible, and many train stations in the tri-state area can accommodate wheelchairs. Check your local transit authority.

Also, many of the ferries going into the city are wheelchair accessible and dock at varying locations such as South Street Seaport and the World Financial Center. (For more complete information on accessibility, routes, fares and schedules, see the New York Waterway web site.)

Once in the city, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority offers several alternatives for getting around.

Access-a-Ride. You might opt to use Access-a-Ride. This service will pick you up in a wheelchair accessible van at a designated place and time and take you anywhere in the city for the same price as citywide bus fare ($2 at the time of this writing). This service is available by appointment only. Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours prior to the date.

If you require an assistant travel with you, your assistant can travel free. Any additional people can be scheduled to travel with you on the bus, but the fare must be paid for each one.

To use this service, you must be a qualified customer. Out-of-state visitors can obtain a Visitor's Pass that is good for 30 days. If you use a similar service in your hometown, you can request that agency's Customer Service fax your information to Access-a-Ride. If you have never used such a service before, you'll have to complete an application. To obtain further information or an application, you can call Access-a-Ride toll-free at 1-877 337-2017, or 646 252-5252. The fax number is 646 252-2838.

If you are not familiar with this type of service, there are certain things of which you should be aware.

First, while the bus will pick you up and return you at a specified location and time, the service is still part of public transportation. You might not be the only one in the van, and you might not go directly to your destination. Sometimes, you will pick someone else up and/or drop them off on your way. For this reason, you should plan on extra time.

Second, Access-a-Ride can be 5 minutes early or 30 minutes late. Within this window, the driver is not considered late. However, the driver will only wait 5 minutes for you if you are late -- regardless of what time he shows. If you are a "no-show," you will have to find another means of getting around.

Personally, I found this service to be less than reliable. Even if their driver errs and leaves without you, it might be hours before they can send another bus for you. By then, it might be too late to make the opening curtain of your Broadway show, keep your dinner reservation, catch your train home, or get wherever you are heading. Also, I prefer not being locked into a time and having a little more flexibility in terms of when I return.

Buses. The MTA offers 4300 buses that are equipped with lifts and have a "kneeling" feature that allows the bus to be lowered for easy boarding and disembarking. These buses provide a place to accommodate the wheelchair and lock-downs for safety.

Although the MTA Guidebook (available on their web site) claims the bus drivers will assist you with these lock-downs, you should be wary. When I have used the buses, I've found the drivers not to be very helpful. They did not secure my wheelchair before driving off and, one time when my back wheel got stuck, the driver even said he wasn't permitted to help.
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Subways. The MTA network has over 75 fully accessible subway and commuter rail stations and over 120 partially accessible stations. Those that meet ADA requirements provide elevators or ramps, accessible booths and MetroCard vending machines, accessible entry gates, platform gap modifications or bridge plates, and telephones at an accessible height. The others, although not completely ADA approved, provide elevators or ramps that can accommodate wheelchairs. At these stops, the gap or step leading into the train will most likely be larger, and you may require some assistance to get over it.

You can check their web site for a map of accessible stations. Also, you should get a free map at any subway station in the city. However, be aware that the MTA is always upgrading and increasing the number of accessible stations.

Most accessible stops designate a wheelchair boarding area either with a sign stating such or an overhead striped sign. Look for this location and wait for the train there. It is here where the gap or step will be the smallest and where the car with the conductor usually stops. (He sits in the middle car of the subway train.) If the conductor is aware of your presence, he can give you sufficient time to board the train. He can also provide you with travel or emergency information if necessary. (The MTA Guidebook advises, if service is disrupted mid-trip and you can't reach your destination, inform a conductor or station booth attendant who will notify the MTA so alternative arrangements can be made.)

Occasionally, elevators breakdown. To determine in advance if a particular subway elevator is operational, you can call the hotline -- 1-800-734-6772.

If you do end up at a subway stop where the elevator isn't working or you mistakenly get off at a stop without an elevator, you can either check your map and re-plan your trip, ask the the conductor for help, or wait for the next train on the same platform going back to your previous location.

Reduced Fare. Anyone with a qualifying disability is eligible for reduced fare travel via New York City's subways and most buses. To qualify, you must present one of the following forms of identification when purchasing a token or paying your fare in cash -- Reduced-Fare MetroCard, Paratransit card (such as Access-a-Ride ID card) or a Medicare (but not Medicaid) card.

To get an application for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, you can call the Reduced-Fare Office at 1-718-243-4999 or download and print it off the MTA web site.

Conclusion. There is no doubt that traveling in New York City with a wheelchair, like traveling anywhere with a wheelchair, can be very challenging. However, it can also be a lot of fun. New York offers many attractions and experiences you won't find anywhere else, and many places offer discounts to wheelchair patrons (such as most Broadway theaters). It's worth the effort, so just consider it an adventure and go for it! And don't be afraid. It's easier than you think and, despite their notoriety as an unfriendly bunch, I have found New Yorkers actually to be considerate and willing to help if you ask.