Outdoor dining area at No. 9 Park is attractive, but the raised platform presents problems for people with disabilities. After publication, the restaurant emailed that “our patio is wheelchair accessible, as required by the city.” (Photo by Bruce Mohl)
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Outdoor dining mixed bag for those with disabilities
Some cramped, enclosed spaces not accessible
By Lily Robinson
Accessibility
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Aug 15, 2021
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THE PANDEMIC shift to patio seating has been a lifeline for restaurants and many patrons are embracing open-air dining. But for people with disabilities, the nearly-overnight redesign of the cityscape poses new challenges for navigating spaces rarely designed for accessibility.
Claire Bergstresser, an East Cambridge resident who uses a manual wheelchair, said curbs are her biggest hurdle. During the pandemic, restaurants were allowed to set up dining areas in on-street parking spaces. That means diners have to navigate from the sidewalk down to street level to reach tables. Restaurants are obligated to have a ramp available, but Bergstresser said she’s often told there isn’t [...]