NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS ACCESSIBLE NEW YORK CITY ATTRACTIONS ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

7/7/15


NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS ACCESSIBLE NEW YORK CITY ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT


—All Five Boroughs Offer Accessible Attractions and Events for People with Disabilities—


New York City (July 7, 2015) — On the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, highlights New York City as an accessible and inclusive destination featuring attractions and events not to be missed in all five boroughs.


“This year we designate July NYC Disability Pride Month in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – one of the most important civil rights laws in the history of this nation,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I am proud to welcome visitors with disabilities to this city, which is home to so many historical and cultural institutions, as well as recreational activities, that are committed to accessibility, equality and inclusivity for all.” 

“New York City’s tourism industry has been at the forefront of making improvements to ensure that the City’s attractions are easily accessible to all visitors,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “The City should be enjoyable and accessible to everyone drawn to its vitality, energy, culture and cuisine.”


In celebration of the 25th anniversary of ADA’s passage, the City will host its first annual Disability Pride NYC Parade on July 12, bringing together people of all abilities to celebrate the accomplishments of the community. The ADA Legacy Tour, a national yearlong tour that raises awareness of and excitement about the anniversary, will visit all five boroughs July 13–14.


In addition, NYC & Company will host a special NYC & Company Talks: ADA—Beyond Compliance to Service meeting on July 20 at The Roosevelt Hotel. This first-ever symposium will further educate the City’s hospitality businesses to focus on creating a more accessible and welcoming social environment in New York City. Victor Calise, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and Peter Slatin, founder and president of The Slatin Group, will be guest speakers at the event.   


Whether you’re a visitor or local resident, the City’s newest attractions are all accessible for patrons with disabilities.






  • The

    Whitney Museum of American Art,

    which recently reopened in its new Meatpacking District location, offers verbal description and touch tours for people who are blind or have low vision, tours in American Sign Language for the deaf or hard of hearing and family access programs for children on the autism spectrum.


     


  • One World Observatory

    is fully ADA compliant, and all exhibitions and restrooms are fully accessible with elevators to every floor of the observatory.


     


  • With its new Peopling of America Center, guests visiting the

    Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

    can discover tactile models of the island and borrow wheelchairs and assisted-listening devices. Braille brochures and audio description tours are also available.


For the entertainment-enthused person wishing to experience some of the City’s top sports teams and the best of Broadway, there are many options:






  • Barclays Center

    in Brooklyn, home to the Brooklyn Nets and most recently the New York Islanders, offers guests with disabilities assisted-listening devices, elevators, induction loop locations, interpreting services and wheelchair and companion seating.


     


  • The

    Staten Island Yankees,

    a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees, also have wheelchair-accessible seats at the top of the seating bowl, as well as along the box and reserve sections.


     


  • Many of New York’s beloved Broadway shows, such as

    The Lion King

    and

    Wicked

    , are part of the

    Broadway Accessibility Initiative,

    which provides services including I-Caption devices for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons and D-Scriptive devices for blind and low-vision patrons.


At some of New York City’s classic attractions, cultural organizations and parks, guests can enjoy their experience with easy access including:









  • Special programming and devices for patrons with limited mobility, sight and hearing impairment, dementia, autism and developmental and learning disabilities at the

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    and the

    Museum of Modern Art


     


  • Free wheelchair rentals and accessible exhibits at

    The

    Bronx Museum of the Arts

    and the

    New York Hall of Science

    in Queens


     


  • A unique tour program on Saturday mornings at the

    American Museum of Natural History

    , as well as specially trained museum guides who host monthly tours of specific exhibitions and engage with participants through extensive verbal descriptions and touchable objects


     


  • Full access to Coney Island’s

    New York Aquarium

    exhibits, with guides to let visitors know of low-light areas, touch exhibits and assistive listening


     


  • Lowered viewing walls, binoculars and ramps at the

    Empire State Building

    and

    Top of the Rock

    . Visitors are also allowed to bring service dogs into all public areas at both attractions


     


  • Adaptive Hubs at

    NYC parks

    with fully accessible recreation centers, basketball courts, beaches, pools, sports fields and more, as well as adaptive sport and recreational activities throughout July


When traveling around the City’s five boroughs, visitors can be informed of accessible travel options and be matched with a volunteer greeter from Big Apple Greeter. When the 7 Subway Line Extension opens later this summer, riders with disabilities will be able to easily access the train platform with the use of two inclined elevators. The MTA also offers wheelchair accessibility on both local and express buses.


For other accessible attractions around the five boroughs, visit nycgo.com


















About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.



About the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), in operation since 1972, works to ensure that New Yorkers with disabilities can lead happy, healthy and productive lives. The MOPD staff work hand-in-hand with other City offices and over 50 agencies to ensure that the voice of the disabled community is represented and that City programs and policies address the needs of people with disabilities. The Office provides information on accessible programs, transportation, employment, health services, activities and other resources to the over 800,000 New Yorkers with disabilities and the millions of people with disabilities visiting New York City every year. In addition, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities works with organizations on specific issues affecting people with disabilities, and aims to bring about dialogue that leads to meaningful outcomes for those living with disabilities. The dedicated staff of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities works hard every day to make New York City the most accessible city in the world. For more information of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, visit www.nyc.gov/mopd.
 



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Contact: NYC & Company / Chris Heywood 212-484-1270
               NYC & Company / Sean Altberger 212-484-1270