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Date: February 23, 2008 11:21:35 PM EST
To: inyc@timeoutny.com
Subject: Bars don’t let people in wheelchairs in
I’m a 31-year-old male architect in a wheelchair. I am totally independent. A few bars in town, though, don’t let me in because I’m in a wheelchair. One is Employees Only on Hudson Street. I thought this was a generation of equality, but I guess not in New York. I’d be glad to go with you one night and show you how I am mistreated. I am grateful for your reply.
Thanks,
Iddo Gruengard, West Village
Iddo Gruengard was visiting India when he got into a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was 21.
Still young, Iddo enjoys clubbing at Webster Hall, Cielo and other hot spots. “I’ve never had a problem getting into those places,” he says. His biggest beef, in fact, is with Employees Only. He says he’s been turned away five times.
Discrimination based on a physical disability is illegal, according to Title 8 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. When architecturally feasible, public establishments are required to make “reasonable accomodations” to ensure equal access to persons with disabilities. “It only takes one step to create barriers,” says New York City Human Rights Commissioner Patricia L. Gatling. “We urge any individual who believes he or she has been discriminated against to call us and we’ll investigate.”
TONY accompanied Iddo on a Saturday-night crawl to see the alleged discrimination firsthand. At EO, we spy two pretty bargoers turned away. “The bar’s full,” the bouncer says. “Come back later.”
We’re about to call off the mission when Iddo rolls up and tries to get in. The bouncer says “No,” dismissively, and Iddo asks, “Why not?” “The last time you were here, we had to help you get to the bathroom,” the dude answers. “We can’t let you in.” The bouncer is referring to the first and only time Iddo made it into the bar. There are two steps separating the bar from the restaurant (where the bathrooms are located), and Iddo’s chair had to be lifted by staffers.
The bouncer then turns to me —unaware that I’m with Iddo—and asks that I watch the door. “Don’t let anyone in and I’ll let you in,” he says, and then jumps into a nearby car. I let us both inside.EO issued a statement denying discrimination: “We never discriminate based on a handicap. However, when we are at capacity, we cannot legally allow people into the bar.”
Bayard’s Ale House, down the road from EO, has two stone steps at its entrance, but still manages to be accommodating. “We have a wheelchair ramp,” says managing partner Matthew Moran. “It’s portable and we just carry it out.”We also get into the nearby White Horse Tavern without a problem, despite the fact that it appears full. The restrooms, however, are up one step. Iddo says he doesn’t expect to use public restrooms: “I just piss in the street.”
Iddo claims New York is one of the least wheelchair-friendly cities in the world. “People are happier to help you in Tel Aviv,” says the former Israeli army officer. “You come to party…it’s all good.”
To file a discrimination complaint, go to nyc.go/cchr or call 212-306-7500.
DOMINIQUE FINE'
Wed, May 14, at 12:20pm
THIS DISCRIMINATION IS TOTALY UNACCEPTABLE. WE ARE IN 2008, HOW CAN PEOPLE TREATH EACH OTHER THIS WAY
Lauren
Sat, Apr 12, at 06:02pm
YEAH IDDO! F Employees Only. That place is over rated and over priced. The bouncers think they are at the door of Bungalo 8.
Fern Cohen
Sun, Mar 16, at 07:35pm
As a wheelchair-bound [not only in the privacy of my home, but out in the street too], I applaud TONY for acknowledging that denying entry to a disabled person is illegal, according to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA]. Like Iddo, I have become disabled in adulthood [I have ALS]. And, as Iddo and I can attest, the able-bodied need to show respect to disabled persons because [to paraphrase a familiar quote, the wheelchair user denied access could someday be you!
EM Prentiss
Fri, Mar 14, at 10:21pm
I’m glad to see TONY spotlighting a PWD (person with a disability) who was illegally refused entry because he is in a wheelchair. But I would like to point out that Iddo and many other New Yorkers are not “wheelchair bound”. In the words of a friend wheelchair bound is only to be done “in the privacy of your home between consenting adults”.
Since your now aware of accessibility, how about adding accessibility info to your listing. It is a real pain to have to call every place asking "is there a way to get in without steps" and "do you have a ramp". I avoid their usually inaccessible bathroom by limiting my drinking. The bottom line is, if you want my money be accessible!"
EM Prentiss
Fri, Mar 14, at 10:05pm
Its great that you're spotlighting a bar that is not only inaccessible buit thast refuses entry to a PWD (person with a disability) but I would like to point out Iddo is not wheelchair bound. In the word of a friend wheelchair bound is in the privacy of you apartment between consenting adults. Iddo and many other New Yorkers are PWDs who use wheelchairs.
