Kathleen Collins Testimony: Disabled Resident Perspective

I'm disabled and I use a wheelchair.

Um, I support the dining Out New York City program, provided it's done correctly and does not hamper or obstruct New Yorkers with disabilities' ability to participate in the dining Out New York City program.

Since the dining out in New York City program provides another revenue source for restaurants by expanding their seating capacity, it also needs to be accessible to people with disabilities.

People with disabilities enjoy outdoor dining with their family, relatives and friends.

Additionally, people with disabilities who want to hold a business meeting open me appreciate having outdoor dining as an option available to them.

Thus, restaurants dining out New York City program needs to provide enough space between tables for people with mobility devices to be able to participate in the dining out New York City program.

Sufficient tables that are low and can be accessed somewhere by someone sitting in a wheelchair needs to be provided.

Additionally, these tables need to provide leg space for people with wheelchairs to be able to come up to the table.

Further, the dining out New York City program needs to permit a customer to access it without a customer having to request a ramp or other assistance to be seated when other customers can independently seat themselves.

Turning to the pedestrian walking past the dining out spaces, the restaurants need to keep a clear path on the sidewalk for everyone, including pedestrians with disabilities to travel safely.

Finally, in order to make sure restaurants outdoor dining actually is in compliance with regulations, the agency issuing these permits needs to be given financial resources to follow up and inspect the restaurants to make sure the restaurants are following the applicable safety, health, and accessible accessibility regulations.

In sum, the dining out New York City program can improve the quality of life of New Yorkers, provided it takes into consideration all the needs of everyone, including people with disabilities, and it is properly monitored.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak.

And I'd just like to bring to uh Councilwoman Pauladino's attention that many times we may not be accessible Thank you.

Your time has expired.

Okay, thank you.

Uh Christopher Leon Johnson.

Yeah, uh hello.

My name is Hello, my name is Christopher Leon Johnson, and I'm here to testify in support of dying out NYC at the same time.