Have you ever tried to spend a day in New York without using stairs?
I live on a third floor walk up. My best friend lives on a second floor walk up. Even first floor apartments often have this:
I’m not really even saying you have to have a wheelchair to need an elevator. I’m talking about even having a sick day. Maybe you broke your foot, maybe you’ve had the stomach flu for a week and haven’t had anything to eat in a couple days. Tendonitis, maybe. A sprained ankle.
Let’s just say this isn’t a city that’s going to take care of you when you’re hurt. There are cabs, sure – if you’re willing to pay upwards of five dollars every time you want to pick up something at a nearby deli. Not everyone lives near a subway station – more so, even fewer live near a subway station with an elevator. There are about 170 elevators in subways – around 130 more than in 1990 – but only in 62 stations.
And those subway stations aren’t exactly perfect, either. The New York times reports that one out of six elevators was out of service for more than a month this year. Two thirds of the subways elevators had at least one breakdown leaving at least one person trapped inside.
The MTA admits that there is much to be done – but the cost will be around $25 million.
It's really crazy to think how much we take accessibility (if we have it) for granted. I never registered how difficult making it up/down stairs without the ease of working legs until I had to take the little girls I babysit to the park... in a heavy double stroller. I've never understood the dire need for more accessibility until it hit me. Thanks for sharing.
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