How To Wheelchair Up and Down Escalator at Macy's Store in NYC

A friend and I were in New York City at the Macy's store. With over six floors it seemed like a good place to film wheelchair escalator rides. After getting to the second floor there was a nazi salesperson who tried to make us leave, yelling, explaining we were absolutely breaking the law... I told her to take some of that energy and volunteer somewhere. She didn't like the joke. Anyways, if you're in a wheelchair and physically able to hold the handrails, there is absolutely no reason you couldn't make use an escalator on a daily basis.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• wheelchair
• escalator
• crash
• SCI
• paralyzed
• paralysis
• paraplegic
• how
• to
• instructional
• spin

[HowiRolldotcom]

Nope. Each time I get on an escalator I have no plan B... But, the same applies each time you choose to get on an elevator. If it suddenly breaks while you're riding, you are screwed, with no plan B. Either way, you're going to need help, escalator or elevator. The truth is, it's HIGHLY unlikely that either will break, especially during your short ride.. And if by chance I end up stuck on a broken escalator, well I suppose I should've stayed in bed that morning:)

[CarneyFamilyVideos]

I think the reason why the employee was arguing, is because if you were to fall and severely hurt yourself, you can sue them big time, because you got hurt on their property... So, that's why they would be protective. I don't think anyone would want to be sued if someone got hurt on their property.. especially if they have elevators in the store... I'm disabled to, so I understand that you'd have to go out of your way... but they made proper accommodations, why not use them?

[HowiRolldotcom]

@CarneyFamilyVideos You're correct, nobody wants to be sued on their property.. With that being said, ANYONE can sue ANYONE if a person falls and gets hurt, wheelchair OR not. If I CHOOSE to use an escalator I should be held responsible for my own actions. As for feeling the need to go out of my way to find the proper accommodations, that's where we differ. I look for a straight line from A to B which is accessible to ME, not a curved line suggested by random people.

[CarneyFamilyVideos]

@HowiRolldotcom I agree, and I believe it's a positive way to look at things... but after all our hard work, getting buildings and companies to provide us with necessary things so we can enjoy the store... we put it to waste? Pretty much like saying "I need an accessible ramp... but I'm not going to use it anyways..." I also know, that elevators are much faster than an escalator.... So, with the added time to get to the elevator, plus the short trip... are you seriously losing any time?

[HowiRolldotcom]

@CarneyFamilyVideos I'm not saying "accessible" routes are a waste.. They serve a very practical purpose for many people. All I'm saying is that I personally would rather not depend on them, and nor should I need to. Also, to say elevators are "much faster" is a stretch. They usually require waiting. I will take the elevator, IF it's more convenient than the escalator. But, if the escalator is right in front of me, I'm not going out of my way to use the "wheelchair accessible" elevator.

[sowseng]

Do you need to lock your wheel ?

[HowiRolldotcom]

@sowseng Never lock your wheels. If the back wheels are on the step correctly your chair won't tip/roll back. Just be sure to hold on tight at first.

[cgooodie]

The hospital I was in taught us how to do this as part of our rehab. If the escalator breaks down you just ease your way one step at a time backwards.

[lol5776]

is there a plan B if the escalator breaks while your on it....? 0_0

[CarneyFamilyVideos]

@CarneyFamilyVideos *Disability parking* @~@ yikes

[CarneyFamilyVideos]

@CarneyFamilyVideos *Charged the business* Sorry, typo

[CarneyFamilyVideos]

@taqdmageranger I agree. And I hope you're careful, and stay safe. I just worry about people who do do it and turn on the business and sue. If you ever got hurt, in some way, the company would have to pay for your injury. I knew someone who did something similar to this, and they got injured pretty badly, and the insurance changed the business, and the business didn't allow him to ever enter their stores again. All I'm saying, is be careful. It's like visibility parking, it's there, so use it.

[taqdmageranger]

@CarneyFamilyVideos ive been a manual wheelchair user for 17 years, and i to use the escalator, not everyone depending on the chair build can do this, but if you can why not save yourself some time. i wouldnt suggest some one in a power chair though do this, or the chairs that support people with conditions like cerebal palsy