Planning a first date is hard enough, regardless of ability. Factor in the question of accessibility around the city, and the process becomes even harder. The online research we conducted before setting out made it clear that going on a date with a wheelchair user meant contending with high steps, heavy doors, high tables, a lack of ramps, and barriers to restrooms (Check out the New York Times story on access). Using the subway would also be difficult, since MTA stations are known for either failing to install elevators or falling short on repairs when they are out of order, and a 2007 AP article we came across stated that only about 60 of the 486 city's stations are actually accessible to wheelchairs (as this AP story describes).We also found that the most accessible venues in the city fell within the tourism sector, such as the theaters in Times Square, sightseeing buses, and tours of skyscrapers (We discovered this in the City of New York's 2006 guide, "Access New York"). Since we’re both New Yorkers, though, we wanted to avoid the lackluster of those frequented sites and go on an interesting yet affordable date in the neighborhood around NYU that we know best.
We decided to start our date off with some food .First, we considered going to Mamoun’s on St. Marks Place because the prospect of a falafel sandwich for only $2.50 was extremely appealing, but the joint had stairs leading customers a few feet underground, which meant our wheelchair couldn’t get down there easily.Then we considered going to Pomme Frites, because the door was actually on ground level and didn’t have a high step like many other venues in the area, but the pathway in the restaurant itself was too narrow.
After those two failures, we decided we were willing to spend a little extra money at Ippudo if it proved to be accessible, and also because we had heard it served the best Ramen in the city, but the doorway had a step that was a little too high and there wasn’t an alternative ramp. So we gave up on trying to find something either cheap or accessible, bought food at a cart on Astor Place, and sat in Cooper Park with some chicken and rice. It wasn’t a problem though, because the weather was nice and there was ample room to situate the wheelchair.
After we ate, we decided we would try to see a movie, so we walked to the theater on 4th Avenue and 12th Street. On the way, we admitted to each other (and only each other) that we really wanted to see No Strings Attached (because we both loved Natalie Portman, although we really didn’t understand what she was doing in the film), but when we entered, one of the workers gave us an attitude about looking for an elevator (probably because we looked suspicious with our camera).When we asked whether or not the venue was wheelchair friendly, the worker scoffed at us and said, “Yes, we’re accessible. All movie theaters are,” shooting her coworker a frustrated glance, annoyed with us for even questioning the location of the elevator which, if it had existed, was not even visible. So we left, because she was a total bitch.
Down the block, we considered going to Webster Hall to see an obscure indie band play live, but there was no ramp in sight.
We made our way back to St. Marks, thinking that getting a few drinks would ease our first date nerves a little bit, but Continental Bar was too convoluted indoors to maneuver. It really sucked, though, because they had an awesome deal.
After wandering around a little more, we even considered going into David Barton Gym for some entertainment, because, really, what goes on in there? The advertisement they had outside also intrigued us.
After that, we considered going to a karaoke bar, because it was actually accessible, but decided against it in fear of embarrassing ourselves too early in the relationship. Singing 90’s tunes at the top of your lungs is not first date material (although maybe second, at minimum). In the end, we decided to go to Billiards, because it was the only accessible entertainment spot we could find that didn’t threaten our sense of pride, even though neither of us really knew how to play.
Finally, we needed to find a place to be alone. This point in the date required us to think like high school students again, on the lookout for any opportunity that didn’t have an authority figure in the way. We made our way to the St. Marks Bookstore (also, in an attempt to observe each other’s taste and see whether or not we were actually made for each other), which proved to be accessible for the most part. A lot of the space was wide, although it got a little too narrow in some aisles, especially near the literary journals (which was the biggest shame of all) and the Stephen King rack (not as much of a shame).
Part of us even considered going into a Church near Cooper Square, because there was a ramp on the side, but we figured that would be a little too sacrilegious. Making our way towards the NYU campus, we saw Gould Plaza was also wheelchair-friendly, but we couldn’t quite get ourselves to stoop down to the Stern level and hang out near all the stuffy business types.
That’s why we ended up on the 10th floor of Kimmel. A mutual friend had told us that the bathroom on that floor was never frequented, and the accessible stall had ample room for the fun that ensued.
In order to get home after all that heat, we had to go through KMart to access the Astor Place subway station that didn’t have its own elevator.
Despite all the hurdles, though, we used our creativity, open-mindedness, and all-too-teenage desperation to ultimately make our date a success. We were thinking that our second one should be a little classier, though.
--Keren Sharon & Katie Claro (Spring 2011)--
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