Handicapped accessibility, noise at restaurants and the latest food news
Tracy SchuhmacherHello friends,
When I started writing freelance restaurant reviews for the D&C some 10 years ago, each review would be accompanied by basic information like location, hours, pricing and whether the restaurant was handicapped-accessible.
In the beginning, the latter was a yes or no question. Can a wheelchair get in the door? If yes, was deemed handicapped-accessible. Eventually, I'd add a few observations, such as when a restaurant had nothing but high-top tables — obviously an issue for people in wheelchairs — but I continued to question what it meant for a restaurant to be "handicapped-accessible."
The question extends to the issue of noise in restaurants — which has been the topic of many emails and conversations over the past decade. Many restaurants are designed to be noisy to add an energetic vibe — but that makes it difficult for people with hearing impairments to participate in conversations.
These questions have been on my mind for years but were pushed to the back burner as I kept up with reporting about Rochester's busy food scene.
That will change on June 21, when I start an eight-week How We Live Fellowship — working without interruption on a major project and reporting to Jamesetta M. Walker, How We Live editor for the USA Today Network.
I will explore ways that restaurants can better accommodate people with various disabilities, and also how our network's food journalists can provide more useful information for people with disabilities.
What does this mean for you?
• If you or a family member has a disability, I'd love to hear from you about your experiences — both positive and negative — at restaurants. I'll even select some people to join me for a meal! Please email me at TracyS@gannett.com.
• Food reporting will continue at the D&C. The food beat overlaps with other beats, so you'll likely see stories from my colleagues. As an example: Marcia Greenwood wrote this exceptional piece about changes at the Northside Inn in East Rochester. And Victoria Freile recently updated our guide to where to pick your own strawberries. (Get them while they last!)
• Finally, this newsletter will be a little different for the next eight weeks. Mike Murphy, who writes about food for The Candandaigua Daily Messenger (covering all of Ontario County), will be filling in for me. He may skip a week or two. I may also jump in once or twice to update you on the fellowship.
Wishing you a delicious summer, and I'll see you back here in August. Be sure to scroll down for more food news!
Tracy Schuhmacher, food, drink and culture reporter
Until next week, keep up on Rochester's food scene by going to our summer food guide, which is updated frequently.
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