July 13, 2017 TnH Global

NYC & Company launches new accessibility resource for visitors

—Accessible NYC Visitor Resources on NYCgo.com Help Make the NYC Travel Experience More Accessible Than Ever —

NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, today announced the launch of a new digital resource to make the NYC travel experience more accessible. With the new Accessible NYC travel planning tools, visitors will have an easier time planning a trip to experience extraordinary New York City.

“Every single person who visits should be able to experience the countless attractions offered throughout New York City,” said Mayor Billde Blasio. “Our goal is to make sure accessibility does not stand in the way of enjoying incredible destinations across all five boroughs. Accessible NYC visitor resources help make that goal a reality.”

“New York City is the most inspirational and exciting destination on the planet, and we believe that experiencing its attractions and energy should be accessible to every visitor,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Our new Accessible NYC guide will help visitors confidently choose NYC as their next travel destination, and helps to further reinforce that all are welcome.”

“Gaining access to everything the City has to offer regardless of your disability is at the core of what our office does, and Accessible NYC achieves that,” said Victor Calise, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “With more than 60 million people visiting NYC every year, we estimate that 6 million of them(10%) are people with disabilities, and making informed decisions before they leave will ensure that their time spent visiting the Greatest City in the World is spent in the most accessible places.”

The accessibility of a destination is a crucial factor when it comes to many visitors’ travel decisions. Accessible NYC will not only provide unique, inspirational content for visitors but will provide more and new information for planning their New York City experience.

Accessible NYC users can read editorial to inspire their New York City travels, from discovering “Accessible Broadway Theater” to browsing an “Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar.” An interactive search filter allows travelers to find hotels, restaurants, attractions and more, sorted by the specific resources that accommodate their mobility, auditory and visual needs, and can also be sorted by neighborhoods across all five boroughs.

Accessible NYC visitor resources were informed in part by the 2014 NYC Building Code, 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards for Design, and the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. At launch, the Accessible NYC search functionality includes amenities that accommodate physical, visual and auditory accessibility. NYC &Company encourages visitors to contact businesses to confirm the availability of necessary amenities in advance of their trip.

In June 2016, NYCgo.com was fully re launched with new capabilities and features, including a mobile-first and responsive design to optimize user experiences across devices, increased video presence, integrated and contextual mapping, and the ability to surface member-, partner-and user-generated content. In April 2017, NYCgo.com won Best Travel Website in the 21st Annual Webby Awards.