A Voyage to Ikea

When planning our accessible date, we wanted

to do something fun and practical. We decided to venture to the IKEA in Brooklyn, on a hunt for accessible furniture. The ferry, (which is free with proof of IKEA purchase), and amazing IKEA food were also a draw. We decided to meet at 14^th Street and 7^th Avenue with the intention of taking the 2, 3 subway to South Street Seaport. This was the most logical place to meet based on where we each live. We encountered our first hurdle trying to get on the subway. After a thorough investigation, we determined there is not an elevator at 14^th street providing wheelchair access to the 1, 2, 3 line. We considered sending one of us into the subway to search for an elevator underground while the other waited on the street, but decided that this would be a problematic and uncomfortable “solution.” Eventually, we decided that finding a disability-accessible cab would be better than trying to walk to the nearest accessible subway. Miraculously, just as we made this decision, we spotted a wheelchair-accessible cab stopped at the light on 14^th and 7^th across from us. We hailed it, clambered in, and asked him to take us to Pier 11 in the Financial District.

We walked around for about half an hour, analyzing the accessibility of the spaces we encountered.While most proved less accessible for the disabled than for an able-bodied person, overall the places we explored were surprisingly disability-friendly. One building had depressed landscaping along its sides with little stepped “bridges” to the doors, but the front had a ramp.

It was 3:26 when we arrived, six minutes after the ferry’s most recent departure. Since we had forty minutes until the next scheduled departure, we decided to explore the neighborhood around the pier.

Around 3:50, we returned to the pier to catch the 4:00 ferry. Unfortunately, upon purchasing our tickets, we learned the ferry was actually running on a weekend schedule, meaning the next ferry was at 4:20 (and that we missed a 3:40 one). Nonplussed, we went inside to get warm and wait for the next ferry. Access to the ferry proved straightforward; the entrance was one long ramp, with one turn that led to the seating area. The doors were propped open for loading and unloading, and proved easily wide enough for a wheelchair.

The ferry ride itself was beautiful, providing a view of the city many New Yorkers rarely stop to admire. Debarking was as simple as boarding, and there was only about a ten-minute walk (or ride) to the IKEA building.

Once inside, a large elevator is available to take shoppers up to the showroom. Though the crowd may have been an impediment, the layout of IKEA itself was not. There are wide, clear paths throughout the demo rooms and the marketplace, free of most obstructions or shelving. We saw some accessible furniture, but most of the items were geared towards the able-bodied. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the furniture and model apartments, (not to mention interpreting the complicated Swedish product names).

Descending to the next level was inconvenient, as we had to wait for the elevator, but not difficult. After enjoying the entire show-area, we decided to partake of some delicious “Swedish” fare. The Swedish meatballs were divine, as usual, but the ribs and chocolate cake were really something to write home about.

The cafeteria was relatively accessible: the tables seemed accessible and the chairs were light and easy to move. As with the rest of the store, the aisles were spacious, and the tray holders provided were on wheels, and sat at a convenient height for a seated person. This was also true of the ledge along which one could slide their tray when ordering food. The one issue we noticed was that a person in a wheelchair would require assistance receiving their food from the server behind the raised counter.

After dinner, we took the ferry back to Manhattan to get some alone time. Since the sun had set, the return ferry ride was even more beautiful and romantic.

Once off the ferry, we strolled parallel to FDR Drive looking for the N, R subway. We stumbled upon the Vietnam Veteran’s Plaza, and stopped to enjoy some alone time, immediately. We were shocked to discover that access to the plaza (for war veterans) was unnecessarily complicated, requiring us to walk all the way around the block to access the ramp

After loitering there for awhile, we continued on towards the subway. When we arrived at the subway, we were disheartened once again to discover that there is not elevator access to the N, R line from this particular station, just to the 1, 2, 3. Yet again, we had to change our plans due to the inaccessibility of the subway system, choosing to walk instead to the Bowling Green subway in order to take the 4, 5, 6 uptown. We got off at 51^st street, and walked along water to the Roosevelt Island tram at 60^th and 2^nd Avenue. We had to take the elevator up to the platform, but getting onto the tram itself was simple.

The tram ride again provided breathtaking views and was very romantic. Getting off the tram was also straightforward; passengers exit the tram at grade level and there is a ramp to the street.Since Roosevelt Island originally only had hospitals, it is very disability accessible, and we were able to easily stroll along Main Street to Bethany’s apartment. The elevator came quickly, and was spacious enough for a wheelchair to easily enter and exit. Her apartment was also large (and sparsely-furnished) enough for easy wheelchair access. That is how we finished our evening together.

In conclusion, we found our date to be relatively accessible. While the date would have proven more problematic for a person in a wheelchair to physically navigate than it was for either of us, we agreed that the areas we explored on this date were probably more accessible than much of Manhattan. The discovery that surprised us most was the persistent difficulties in finding wheelchair accessible subway routes, and the amount of planning that would be required every time a person in a wheelchair traveled by public transportation.

--Bethany Stevens & Ashleigh Williams (Spring 2011)--