DEPENDENT ON A WHEELCHAIR IN NEW YORK CITY, USA
Written by Jacqui from England.


You asked about my visits to New York and how I got around, being dependent on a wheelchair.

I must be honest, I was very surprised and really impressed by how easy all New Yorkers made it for
disabled visitors.  From the time that we arrived at JFK Airport to when we left on the QE2.

Getting around New York is very easy because there are a great number of ramps making things easier.  
Disabled people in wheelchairs are given priority without feeling that people resented it.

When we went across to visit the Statue of Liberty on the ferry we were motioned to the front of the
queue to buy tickets, told to pass all the people waiting to board.  The crew put me on board, parking me
in a very good spot.  I was pushed off the ship after everyone had left and told to go to the front of the
queue when I returned.

On deciding that a visit to The Empire State Building was a must, the length of the queue filled me with
dread.  On catching sight of me, I was taken to a special ticket desk. Then taken, notice taken, to a lift
and taken from that lift to the other.  Instead of the 2 hours, some fellow travellers took to get to the top,
it took us only 20 minutes.

Going into the larger stores we were escorted to lifts, and if they felt that we were in any way
inconvenienced, there was always a member of staff to help.  If I'm honest, such treatment is very rare
in the UK.

We visited Central Park as I was very interested to see it, as it was laid out by a man who had visited and
based the park on Birkenhead Park.  I had been led to believe that it was a No GO area but was so pleased
to be free and encouraged to see it, and never felt anything but safe.

We were overwhelmed by the friendliness of all the people we met, including the Police, who were always
so very friendly and helpful.  The taxi drivers were helpful, which I believe is not always the norm. I
noticed that in New York I was not referred to as Disabled but Handicapped.  I loved the city and the
people and have recommended it to many of my family and friends

I enjoyed visiting New York and would love to return, someday soon.

Hope this is helpful

Jacqui



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