Accessible Dating on a Dime

As college students, we decided to try an inexpensive yet original date which would include entertainment, a meal, and some alone time to get to know one another. We began by visiting the Grey Art Gallery, located at 100 Washington Square East, right at NYU's door step. We wanted to scope out the accessibility for a wheelchair user who might be interested in checking out the new Triangle Shirtwaist Factory exhibit at the gallery, in commemoration of the fire's centennial. Next, we decided that the NYU dining halls would be another great place to examine. We chose Weinstein, primarily for the noticeable ramp at the entrance of the building (which many students choose to take instead of the stairs regardless of ability.) Finally, we would end our date in the Lafayette dorm and the nearby City Hall Park.

We hope you enjoy our findings...and feel free to take any of our suggestions!

A Night at the Museum... Kind Of.

Our first stop was the Grey Art Gallery, which is free for NYU students. Immediately upon our arrival, we ran into a problem. There are three small steps leading up to the entrance, and no ramp in sight. We went to the front desk to ask about how a wheelchair user would get into the gallery, but no one was there. After waiting a few minutes, we were greeted by a marginally helpful employee who appeared to be a work study student. She called her supervisor over, who explained that wheelchair users would have to enter through Silver (the adjacent building) and have the security guard take them through the service entrance that connects both buildings. When we asked if we could try it out, we were told that they were "busy," even though we appeared to be the only two people in the gallery. We figured they were not excited to accomodate us since neither of us were in a wheelchair.

First floor of Grey Art Gallery

Stairs to the exhibit

After browsing around the first floor (which was more than spacious enough for a wheelchair user to wheel around), we decided to check out the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory exhibit. Once again, we ran into the problem of stairs.

We went back to the front desk, and asked if there was an elevator leading to the lower floor. We were informed that we would have to go back through the service entrance into Silver, in an elevator, and back through a service entrance on the lower level. Of course, they were not enthusiastic about calling the public safety officer next door for us. We wondered if a wheelchair user would have gotten this kind of treatment-- and hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Once downstairs, we met the director of educational programming, who was infinitely more helpful than the staff at the front desk. She emphasized the importance of making sure everyone who wanted to see the gallery could get in, regardless of ability. She also explained to us that the gallery used to be all on one floor before recent renovations. Visitors with disabilities are encouraged to call before coming (as noted on the Gallery's visitor information page), and she said that they try to be accommodating, even when people don't call ahead (perhaps she just noticed the fact that we were taking notes and wanted to cover all of her bases). We will give her the benefit of the doubt.

Overall, the Grey Art Gallery is great for non-wheelchair students who want to take in some art for free. Although it is extremely spacious, we wouldn't reccommend it for wheelchair users, unless you call ahead.

Keeping it Classy at "Downstein"

Ramp to enter Weinstein

Let's be real-- neither of us would ever take a date to "Downstein," the lower level dining hall in the dorm Weinstein. But for a college student with a meal plan who is also strapped for cash, this was a great option.

Getting into the building was no problem at all with the large ramp. After simply consulting a Public Safety Officer at the front desk, he guided us to the the easily accessible elevators to reach the downstairs dining hall.

The first thing we noticed in this "buffet-style" dining hall was the lack of trays, which could make things extremely difficult for a wheelchair user. Perhaps they had some if we requested, but certainly none in sight.

The salad bar might be a little high for a

wheelchair user.

The dining hall itself was spacious, with lots of room to maneuver, despite the rush-hour of hungry students. However, even if a wheelchair user was using a tray, many of the food stations would be very high to reach without some assistance. There was ample room to sit down with our plates of food, with movable chairs which would be easy to accommodate any amount of people.

Making Our Way Downtown

Transportation: 6 line to Canal Street

Our clever way (the only way) to get on the subway at Astor Place: K-Mart

The closest subway to reach downtown is the one on Astor Place. This subway has no direct elevator. However, by "simply" entering K-mart, taking the elevator in the store to the lower level, and accessing the subway station that way, we were able to make it. We even noticed a service entrance and MTA attendant on duty (which is harder to find these days at most stations). If we were heading uptown, it would be another story entirely. We can't imagine having to reach the 14th street stop just to access the subway.

Astor Place subway platform

The large waiting platform made traveling less stressful, but then again we weren't traveling during peak hours.

Gap between subway and platform

Not to mention, we couldn't imagine the trouble one might have to go through to overcome the large gap between the subway train and the platform with a wheelchair or walking aid. This might require some assistance.

When we got to Canal Street, we noticed that the station was extremely narrow. We had to walk one-in-front of the other as there was not even enough room for two to fit in the passageway. The elevator was luckily in service and we noticed a sign on the door to consult the MTA website for functionality of elevators and escalators before heading out. (Those who are interested should also check out the MTA's Accessibility page.)

Canal Street might not have been the best choice after all, once we noticed the notoriously crowded streets with many broken sidewalks as evidence of the street's many users.

NYU's Least Accessible Dorm
Lafayette Residence Hall

Security desk at entrance to Lafayette

What would a wheelchair user have to do in order to enter the Lafayette Residence Hall? They would find themselves shouting to the Public Safety desk in sight to use the accessible entrance on White St. Oh yeah, and the security guards sit at the top of the stairs. Assuming you caught their attention, this would require exiting the building, going around to the side, ringing the doorbell, going through two sets of doors (which are heavy), and using a narrow entrance to the elevator. Easy as that...

A Romantic Stroll Through the Park

City Hall Park

City Hall Park, all lit up

To end our evening after experiencing the difficulties at the Lafayette St. dorm, we decided to take a stroll through the wide, recently restored sidewalks of City Hall Park.

At the south end are plenty of benches and a fountain. We had finally found a romantic spot, one with every pathway paved and smooth, and highly accessible.

Whether it was a coincidence that it surrounds some of NYC's most important government buildings or not, we were not about to complain.

Some final thoughts...

Our date had come to an end with some adversity and some ease. It is clear that some NYU buildings are in need of renovation in order to make them more accessible. However, it is possible to find spacious dining halls and galleries (if you can get in the building). MTA's public transportation proved to be most frustrating, and City Hall Park was the most accessible part of our date. We hope you keep some of this in mind when you're planning your next date!