Outreach Meeting at Yankee Stadium
September 7, 2007
1 PM - 3 PM

Dominic Marinelli from United Spinal Association provided introductions and a brief overview of our agenda, which included the following items:

• Construction Update
• Signage
• Brochure and Online Access Guide
• Ticket Policy

1. Construction Update – Bradd Crowley, HOK Sport

Pictures were shown to attendees displaying the progress in construction of the new stadium.

Questions:

Q: How many seats will be provided in the new stadium?
A: Approximately 50,000 seats

Q: How many of the approximately 50,000 seats are luxury box seats?
A: 1,000 seats

Q: Is the number of seats at the new stadium reduced due to the luxury boxes?
A: No, the new stadium will have fewer seats because row dimensions have been increased in the new stadium. The new stadium will have wider row dimensions so that attendees are provided with more room at their seats.

Q: Will field dimensions be the same at the new stadium:
A: Yes, the field dimensions will be the same at the new stadium. The 1st row of seats behind home plate will be located closer in the new stadium.

2. Signage – Amy Siegel, C&G Partners

• Signage will be white text on a dark blue background (Yankees colors).
• Signage identifying permanent rooms and spaces will be located on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door, 60 inches above the floor to the centerline of the sign.
• All rooms will only be identified by numbers which will include raised characters and Braille.
• Some rooms will only be identified by a number; some will also have a name.
• Elevator and stair signage will include both raised characters and Braille.
• Wheelchair viewing locations are fenced in and identified by signage that includes the section number and the International Symbol of Accessibility.
Questions:

Q: If individuals with disabilities not using wheelchairs will be seated in the wheelchair viewing locations, will it be confusing to only have the International Symbol of Accessibility (wheelchair symbol) at the viewing locations?
A: Wheelchair viewing locations are required by city and federal accessibility guidelines to be identified with the International Symbol of Accessibility.

Q: Although everyone who attends outreach meetings knows that all toilet rooms at the new stadium will be accessible, how will others know if signage is not provided?
A: Signage would only be required at toilet rooms that are not accessible and all of the toilet rooms at the new stadium will be accessible.

Comment: New stadium will be an example of a new era of construction where everything is accessible and does not need to be identified with signage.

Comment: Several attendees feel that without signage identifying toilet rooms as accessible, people will not know that they are accessible, especially out-of-towners.

Amy Segal suggested, as a possible solution, that the International Symbol of Accessibility be provided on directional signage to toilet rooms, rather than providing a sign at every toilet room with the symbol.

Suggestion: Provide signage on toilet rooms and on the accessible stall(s) within these toilet rooms reminding individuals without a disability that they should not use accessible toilet stalls or the unisex toilet rooms.

Q: How many unisex toilet rooms will be provided at new stadium?
A: 14

Discussion with Attendees: regarding the placement of signage to alert the public about the availability of an Assistive Listening System at the new stadium.

Suggestions:
• Provide signage stating the availability of Assistive Listening System at all stadium entrances, turnstiles, all portals into stadium, and at each ticket booth.
• Print information on Assistive Listening System on tickets.
• Make sure that information tells attendees where devices can be picked-up.
• Ticket box office operators could announce to callers the availability of the Assistive Listening System.
• Announce on Yes network, on Yankees website, Ticket Master website, newspaper ads, radio broadcasts, etc.
• Knowledge of the availability is important, especially if Yankees provide an alternate channel on the FM system for a play-by-play broadcast.
• Ensure that signage uses the correct symbols – use the following website as an example: www.hearingloop.org

3. Brochure and Online Access Guide – Dominic Marinelli, United Spinal Association

Yankees brochure and online access guide could be a good place to provide information to Yankee fans with disabilities, such as the availability of an Assistive Listening System or the fact that all toilet rooms and concession stands are accessible, etc.

Question to attendees: Would a Brochure and Online Access Guide be worthwhile?

Replies from attendees:
• Yes, an access guide would be worthwhile but not a panacea since not everyone may read the guide or know of its availability.
• Suggestion to integrate accessibility features into a new stadium guide, rather than have a separate section on access.
• If accessibility features are integrated into brochure, the info may be missed if individuals do not read entire brochure.
• Suggestion to integrate accessibility features into general stadium brochure and provide a separate access guide.
• Suggestion to look at Metropolitan Opera online brochure as a good example to follow.

Questions:

Q: How many captioning boards will be provided at new stadium?
A: 2 on the first and third base facade. The main scoreboard has the ability to provide captioning.

Comment: FedEx stadium has 2 captioning boards provided on each end of stadium and many plays are missed because you have to keep turning your head away from field to see captioning boards.

Reply: At new Yankee stadium, all seats face towards 2nd base so if captioning boards are located in sight of 2nd base, individuals will be able to see the field and the captioning boards.

Q: Will captioning be mixed case letters or all upper/lower case? Many attendees agree that captioning needs to be mixed case letters.
A: Follow-up on exact type of characters available on captioning board will be provided.

Q: Where will induction loops be provided?
A: An induction loop will be provided in conference center and at one window within the main ticket booth

Comment: All ticket booths should be provided with an induction loop.

Reply: Follow-up on the possibility of providing a loop at one ticket window at each main ticket distribution point in the new stadium will be provided.

4. Ticket Policy – Dominic Marinelli, United Spinal Association

Two main ticket policy issues include:

1. Enforcement /ticket fraud
2. Accommodating other disabilities, other than individuals who use wheelchairs, in accessible seating locations, such as blind and visually impaired individuals.
• Accommodate service/guide dog
• Proximity of seats to field
• Unobstructed line of sight from seats

Proposal: Although new federal accessibility guidelines only require .5% of seating to be accessible, more then 1% of viewing locations within the new stadium will be accessible to achieve compliance with current city and federal accessibility standards.

Suggestion: Half of the accessible seats will be distributed as they are at the current Yankee Stadium, thereby satisfying federal accessibility requirements. The other half will be reserved for “club” members. Yankee fans can voluntarily join this free club – in order to join, members will have to prove that they have a disability that would require them to be accommodated with accessible seating. This suggested ticket policy idea was provided to the U.S. Department of Justice independent of the new Yankee Stadium in August for their review/comments.

Comment: If any Yankee fans do not feel comfortable providing proof of disability, they can purchase accessible seating without joining club (like they currently do at the stadium). If people with hidden disabilities do not want to join the club as they would be viewing games in wheelchair spaces that will feature folding chairs, they can purchase the remaining 99% of seats available.

Outreach Meeting at Yankee Stadium
March 21, 2007
1 PM – 3 PM

Dominic Marinelli from United Spinal Association provided introductions and a brief overview of our agenda, which included the following items:

Ticket Policy Update

• Due to the settlement with DOJ, the Yankees do not have any control over the ticket policy at the current stadium.
• All large venues have issues with the abuse of wheelchair viewing locations by non-disabled fans, the challenge is how to comply with DOJ requirement that prohibit venues from asking for proof of disability while not excluding Yankee fans with disabilities from enjoying future games in the new ballpark
• In our earlier meetings and special task groups, we collected feedback and suggestions on how to improve the ticket policy at the new stadium. These suggestions will be taken into consideration and the issue of ticket policy and enforcement will be revisited.

Access-a-Ride

Carol Zwick and Gary Schiavone – Paratransit Division of NYC Transit

• The current stadium does not have a designated Access-a-Ride bus stop.
• Department of Transportation must approve a designated bus stop – they are currently working with DOT to get a bus stop assigned to the new stadium.
• Need location at new stadium that will accommodate Access-a-Ride vehicles.
• Before choosing the location for the bus stop, must figure out the traffic pattern at the new stadium.
• Ed Roether from HOK Architects added that the traffic pattern should consist of vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic.
• It is also important to have the bus stop located near an accessible entrance.
• Ed Roether informed audience that all entrances at the new stadium will be accessible.
• Dominic Marinelli stated that at first he always thought that the bus stop should be located by the primary entrance but that may not be the best choice if we take into consideration the volume of pedestrian traffic.
• Ideal bus stop location could accommodate 3-5 vehicles, be provided with a curb to make deploying a ramp easier, and be provided with covered benches.
• Access-a-Ride works with the police, making them aware that they are part of NYC Transit.

Questions:

1. Can Access-a-Ride provide a loop system into each vehicle so that the drivers can communicate with passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Janice Schacter will provide information on loop system to Gary Schiavone of NYC Transit.

2. Can the vehicle access lane for Access-a-Ride vehicles be larger?

Vehicles are 20 ft in length - the smallest access lane provided is 25 ft and others are 40 ft.

3. What can we do to ensure that police ticket cars that park in bus stops?
   Some NYC Transit employees have the ability to ticket cars that park in bus stops & they do write tickets – fine is $150.

NYC Transit has no control over the police.
Kleo King announced that United Spinal plans on reaching out to NYPD and asking them to attend a future meeting.

4. Can the Access-a-Ride bus stop be a remote area and then have a jitney service provided to/from the stadium?

This hasn’t been considered. DOT must be involved with NYC Transit in choosing a designated bus stop.

5. Can there be a way that customers can speak with the dispatchers?

Carol Zwick stated that all of the vehicles will be getting GPS so that they can be tracked.

6. Does NYC Transit do outreach about its Access-a-Ride services?

Carol Zwick stated that Access-a-Ride does outreach – Access-a-Ride receives approximately 4,000 applications each month.

Metro-North Update - John E. Kenard - Long Range Planning at Metro North Railroad

• Metro-North will be opening a new station near Yankee Stadium (closer to where current stadium is located).
• Trying to get new station opened by the time that the new stadium is opened but this will be a challenge – Metro-North must acquire land.
• New station will be fully accessible – elevators, accessible signage, tactile warnings
• New station will be served by all 3 lines east of the Hudson River

Questions:

1. Will all lines have express trains?

Depends on location – some lines will only be local trains.

2. Will Metro North provide a jitney service from new station to Yankee Stadium?

This had not been considered – can look into this.

3. When there are delays, the signs don’t keep up with “real” train time – will this problem be taken into consideration at new station?

Signs at new station will be updated by an individual located at the new station, rather than from a remote location, so that delays can be noted on signs and provide commuters with “real” train time.

Captioning - Joel Ziev - Partners for Access LLC and Ed Roether - HOK Architects

• There will be two ribbon board displays for captioning provided at 1st and 3rd base – each display will be approximately 4 ft by 20 ft.
• Everything on PA system is proposed to be displayed on ribbon board.
• Ribbon board will be an LED screen, supporting two lines of captioning but is flexible to allow various means of captioning.
• LED screen will be tied into the emergency back-up system to provide information during an emergency situation.
• Flexibility with this type of system – size of letters, all capital letters or mixed letter types, number of lines of information provided, etc.

Questions:

1. What information will be provided on the TV monitors throughout the stadium?

Ed Roether stated that the TV monitors should allow for two captioning feeds, but is not sure what would provide the best communication – either the same info provided over the PA system or play-by-play info from the broadcast.

2. Can a third ribbon board be provided below the scoreboard? There is some concern about making individuals look away from the scoreboard to read the captioning on the two ribbon boards located at 1st and 3rd base.

It is expected that most information announced over the PA system will be displayed on the scoreboard, but further discussion is necessary.

3. Will advertisements be provided on ribbon boards? It was suggested that ads should not be mixed with captioning.

The caption displays are dedicated to captioning but are adjacent to other ribbon boards that serve advertisements.

4. Can these ribbon boards be seen from the bleacher seats?

Yes, the ribbon boards can be seen from bleacher seats - will have to make sure that the captioning can be read from bleacher seats.

5. Can the background color be changed on the ribbon boards to notify individuals when information being provided isn’t relevant to the game?

The LED screens are flexible – need further discussion to determine best method of relaying information over ribbon boards.

6. Will the music being played over the PA system be captioned? If yes, could the font be changed so that individuals know that the captioning being provided is the music being heard over the PA system?

Yes, everything heard over the PA system could be captioned and the font could be changed. However, the extent and presentation of captioned information needs further discussion.

Additional Questions:

1. Will the new stadium provide accommodations for individuals that have low vision?

Ed Roether explained the way-finding that will be provided at the stadium, in addition to the signage provided with high contrast letters.

2. How will individuals in the ramps during egress be notified of details and/or directions relevant to an emergency situation?

Ed Roether stated that the TV monitors have the capability to provide emergency information but they are not visible from the exit ramps. Also, the stadiums TV’s are not hooked-up to the emergency power system.

3. Will food vending areas be provided with an accessible counter?

Yes, all counters provided at vendors will be either 34 inches or 36 inches above the floor.

4. Will accessible menus be provided?

It will be proposed to the venders that they provide approachable menus at each food vending area that will allow individuals to look at menu and make a choice before going to service counter.

5. Can an induction loop system be provided at each ticket booth so that individuals who are hard of hearing can communicate?

Providing induction loops at the ticket booths will be looked at, but further discussion is required.

6. Will accessible menus be provided?

It will be proposed to the venders that they provide approachable menus at each food vending area that will allow individuals to look at menu and make a choice before going to service counter.

OUTREACH MEETING AT YANKEE STADIUM
NOVEMBER 17, 2006
1 PM – 3 PM

Dominic Marinelli provided introductions and a brief overview of our past outreach meetings at Yankee Stadium

Joel Ziev – Update on Task Group on Communication and Graphic Design

Joel provided an overview of his Task Group’s work, which includes the following issues:
1. Graphics
2. Signage
3. Way Finding
4. Assisted Listening Devices
5. Scoreboards and ribbon boards

• Printed material – large print and other alternative formats must be available - people with visual impairments prefer to have material in an electronic format
• Need to provide captioning of announcements made over the PA system
• Captioning should not just be provided on the scoreboards but also on ribbon boards and televisions located throughout the stadium.
• Important characteristics of letters in captioning:
1. Size of letters
2. Density of letters
3. Color contrast of letters from background
• Options for Assistive Listening Devises – FM system and loop system

Matt Sapolin: Is it possible to have antenna equipment installed in stadium to improve radio signal? Maybe the stadium chairs could have an input where radios or Pac Mates could be plugged.

Charles Albert: Written literature could be put into alternative formats that could be viewed on a PacMate.

Rick Morin: Discussed problem with Fox Broadcasts having a delay.

Melissa Ortiz: Would like to have an input on chair where you can plug in radios.

Stephanie White: Suggested that printed materials be provided in other languages

Janice Shacter: Discussed the three prong approach:
1. Assistive listening device
2. Captioning
3. Interpreting

Linda Volpe – Update on Task Group on Transportation to/from Yankee Stadium

Linda provided an overview of her Task Group’s work, which includes the following issues:
1. Subways
2. Access-a-Ride
3. Parking

• Elevator at 161st Street Station breaks down frequently and individuals get trapped at the station and can’t get to games
• We must follow-up with MTA and discuss the maintenance of elevator
• Fans have trouble getting picked-up at Yankee Stadium. The location that they are dropped-off at is blocked after the game by traffic, vans and team buses. Gridlock in the area makes it difficult to get Access-a-Ride vans near the stadium after a game.
• Misunderstanding among Access-a-Ride users that the drop-off and pick-up locations had to be the same.

Eunice Poku: Representative of NYC Transit Access-a-Ride is willing to help us out at new stadium in mapping out the area and choosing workable drop-off and pick-up locations

Melissa Ortiz: Suggested that Access-a-Ride send out a bunch of vans and have each van designated to particular zip codes to simplify the process. Melissa suggested providing training/education to both drivers and riders.

Stephanie White: Stephanie is the Chair of the Paratransit Advisory Committee. It can be difficult for individuals to get to the pick-up area due to stadium congestion – if you’re late, the driver leaves and you’re a “no-show.”

Matt Sapolin: Access-a-Ride is working on improving service. If everyone works together, these issues should be resolved by opening day. (United Spinal, MOPD, HOK, Eunice Poku and Stephanie White)

Joel Ziev: Suggested that we try to debug the system before 2009 – work at solving problems next season at the current stadium.

Ed Roether: Suggested that we involve NYPD since we will have to deal with DOT and Homeland Security issues.

Linda discussed NY Waterways – accessible shuttle used to be provided from NY Waterways to Stadium – it’s no longer available. United Spinal Association wrote a letter to NY Waterways but has not received a response.

Melissa Ortiz: NY Water Taxis is interested in providing accessible transportation to Yankee Stadium.

Matt Sapolin: Mayor signed a new law requiring new ferries to be accessible – this law pre-empted DOT requirements.

• Need captioning in Access-a-Ride vans for people that are deaf or hard of hearing.
• If vans have a GPS system, this can be used to provide captioning
Linda discussed the issue of parking violations – we need to involve NYPD to discuss enforcement issues.

Rick Morin: Suggested valet service to prevent individuals from parking in accessible spaces and access aisles. This could be a problem for vans that don’t have a driver’s seat.

Dom Marinelli: Our next meeting will include representatives from Access-a-Ride

Kleo King – Update on Task Group on Accessible Accommodations

Kleo provided an overview of her Task Group’s work, which includes the following issues:
1. Wheelchair seating locations
2. Ticket & other policies
3. Designated seats for individuals with vision impairments
4. Documentation of a disability
5. Enforcement

Kleo provided an overview of the wheelchair seating locations at the new Stadium. Individuals agreed that companion seats should be good quality folding chairs so to provide flexibility within the wheelchair seating areas.

• Do not surpass the capacity of wheelchair seating areas. The floor will be marked where companion seats will be placed to prevent overcrowding of the areas.
• Request for monitors in stadium for individuals with visual impairments. If these monitors are provided with captioning, they will also benefit individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing.
• The number of companions that an individual that uses a wheelchair brings to a game cannot be limited unless the total number of tickets allowed is limited for everyone. For example: during playoffs, if there is a purchase limit of 4 tickets per person, then an individual that needs a wheelchair space can only bring 3 companions.
• People want tickets to be available by various methods: phone, in-person sales, internet
• Could Yankees hold some tickets for individuals with disabilities?
• If a level is sold out, the Yankees are allowed to release the wheelchair seating locations to the general public
• Discussion of duplicating what the Diamondbacks did at their stadium – accessible seating club – fans voluntarily provide Diamondbacks with info so that their needs can be accommodated more easily when purchasing tickets.

Patricia Bacigalupo: Need to differentiate between group sales and large families so that individuals don’t take advantage and bring 10 friends with them to a game

Rick Morin: People with disabilities must learn how to purchase tickets – supply and demand. People can’t expect to get tickets the day before a game. Rick suggests that Yankees provide outreach to educate the disability community.

Dr. Joan Fallon: Asked what percentage of wheelchair seats are part of a subscription (such as season tickets).

Robert Rappo: Suggested that companion seat spaces are designated to that extra folding chairs aren’t added to areas.

Artie Elefant: Suggested the creation of an internal reporting group – report fraud to Carol.

On behalf of the New York Yankees, HOK Sports Architecture, Tishman Speyer Properties and United Spinal Association, I want to thank everyone that participated with our three Yankee Task Groups.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, November 17, 2006 from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Yankee Club within Yankee Stadium. We plan to discuss the issues brought to our attention during our Yankee Task Group conference calls, relating to Transportation to/from the new stadium, Accessible Accommodations, and Communication & Graphic Design Features, as well as other pertinent issues impacting accessibility at the new Yankee Stadium.

Please contact Linda Volpe at (518) 945-1606 if you wish to attend or if you need any accommodations at the meeting.

Minutes of May 31, 2006 Meeting

Tristan Anderson from HOK Architecture provided an update on accessibility issues in the new stadium design.

Mr. Anderson discussed the following:

1. Entrances to new stadium
2. Elevation of existing site where new stadium will be built, including the elevations of existing streets and sidewalks
3. Overview of ramped route serving 161st Street stadium entrance serving the Great Hall.

Questions/Comments from those in attendance:

• Concern that the route to the accessible entrances on either side of the stairway will be congested with people, making it very difficult for individuals in wheelchairs to reach these accessible entrances.

The stairway actually takes up less sidewalk space than a ramp would. Also, a ramp at this location would have to be as long as the length of sidewalk leading to the other major accessible entrances located on both sides of the stairway; the sidewalk provides a more gradual slope than the ramp and becomes part of the general circulation path.

• Will the entrance to the Stadium’s club be accessible?

All entrances to stadium are accessible. Stadium Club is accessed by an elevator.

• Are wheelchair viewing locations provided on the upper deck? Is the upper deck in the new stadium less steep than the current stadium?

Yes – wheelchair-viewing locations are provided on the upper deck. The upper deck is not as steep as the current stadium – it is much more accessible to people with disabilities.

• Will wheelchair viewing locations in new stadium accommodate large motorized wheelchairs with equipment? Will people in wheelchairs that do not have the ability to turn their head be able to see the field?

The wheelchair viewing locations at the new stadium are much deeper than the locations at the current stadium and should be able to accommodate most large motorized wheelchairs. The deeper spaces will allow people to maneuver their wheelchairs more easily in order to achieve a better view of the field.

• Will monitors be provided for people with visual impairments?

Topic for Task Group.

• Will the new stadium have seating designated for people with visual impairments?

Topic for Task Group.

• Will accessible locations be reserved only for people that use wheelchairs?

Yes & Topic for Task Group. People with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs do not need clear floor space that comprises a wheelchair viewing location.

Comment that outdoor terrace above batter’s eye area will provide protection from foul balls.

• Will all wheelchair viewing locations be protected by a foul ball screen?

Member of audience suggested that some locations should be provided with a foul ball screen and some without, allowing individuals to have a choice.
Topic for Task Group.

• Will the Yankees require documentation of a disability from individuals wanting to purchase seats in the wheelchair viewing locations?

Topic for Task Group.

• Will the new stadium have unisex toilet rooms?

Yes – every level of the new stadium will have unisex toilet rooms.

Ed Roether from HOK provided an update on life safety features of the new Yankee Stadium.

Questions/Comments from those in attendance:

• In an emergency, how will people with disabilities get out of stadium? Will the Yankees have evacuation chairs to use on stairs?

The elevators at Yankee Stadium will work in an emergency because they will be equipped with a “standby power” source (e.g. even when there is no power).
The stadium is designed so that smoke does not accumulate in the elevator banks.

• Will the new stadium have elevators designated for use only by individuals with disabilities?

Topic for Task Group.

• Has HOK looked at other new stadiums to use as an example?

Yes, HOK has looked at other stadiums. In fact, all of the stadiums mentioned by audience member were designed by HOK.

Dominic Marinelli from United Spinal Association explained the formation of four Task Groups:

1. Transportation & Access to/from Yankee Stadium
2. Accessible Accommodations
3. Graphics Design
4. Communication

Participants are asked to contact Linda Volpe or Dominic Marinelli if they are interested in participating on one of the four task groups.

dmarinelli@unitedspinal.org
lvolpe@unitedspinal.org

OUTREACH MEETING ON ACCESSIBILITY AT NEW YANKEE STADIUM

May 31, 2006 at Yankee Club within Yankee Stadium
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

AGENDA

1. Introductions & Update on Parking and Stadium Construction Impact on Exterior Routes

2. Information & Public Feedback on www.accessibility-services.com

3. Stadium Design Update

4. Life Safety Features of the New Yankee Stadium

5. Formation of Task Groups

ADDITIONAL TOPICS:

• Transportation & Access to Yankee Stadium (Issues: parking, subway, Access-A- Ride, etc.)

• Accessible viewing locations (lines of sight, standing-room only locations, policy enforcement, types of companion chairs, additional monitors for people with visual disabilities, etc.)

• Graphics Design (way finding, signage for permanent rooms and spaces, brailled/raised characters, contrasting colors, etc.)

• Assisted Listening Devices, Closed/Open Captioning, scoreboards, ribbon boards, Audible Alarms, etc.

1. Paul Ersboll, Senior Project Manager of NYC Department of Parks & Recreation described the layout of the New Yankee Stadium, which will include park areas, playgrounds, Little League baseball fields and parking facilities.

Mr. Ersboll discussed the following:
• Location of parking facilities and their distance from stadium entrances
• Number of accessible parking spaces the parking facilities contain

Questions/Comments from those in attendance:
• Will there be directional aides for people with visual impairments?
Follow-up required
• Will NYC Parks work with MTA to improve subway signage?
Follow-up required
• Will NYC Parks and the Yankees work with NYPD to enforce parking requirements & maintain clear accessible routes?
NYPD enforcement will be topic of future Outreach Meeting

2. Nancy Barthold, Assistant Commissioner for Capital Projects for the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, introduced herself as the point-person on ADA compliance

3. Ed Roether from HOK architects described line of sight for individuals using wheelchairs. The floor of the wheelchair locations at the New Yankee Stadium will be raised so that a person sitting in a wheelchair will have his or her eye level at the same height as a standing person in order to have a line of sight over standing spectators. Lines of sight in the new stadium will be exceptional compared to those in the existing stadium.

Questions/Comments from those in attendance:

• Will there be transfer seats at the new stadium? Yes (1% of the seating will feature removable armrests).
• Will the club at the new stadium be accessible? Yes (United Spinal confirmed access to Stadium Club during review of Schematic Designs).
• Investigate designated seating area for persons with visual impairments. – Follow-up required
• Ensure that people who need accessible seating will be able to get accessible seating – This will be ensured by implementation of compliant ticket policy as construction nears completion.

4. Companion Seating - seats will be really nice folding chairs with cushions, armrests, and the Yankee logo. Carol Laurenzano of the New York Yankees will try to have a proto type or photo by our next Outreach Meeting.

5. Topics for future meetings (Next meeting will be in mid-spring)
• Usability of concession stands
• Accessibility of menus
• Enforcement
• Subways
• Drop off points

BRONX, NY––United Spinal Association, a national disability rights organization, is proud to announce that its Accessibility Services group has been selected by the New York Yankees to ensure that the new Yankee Stadium, scheduled for completion by Opening Day 2009, will be fully accessible to all fans with disabilities.

The Yankees announced plans for the new stadium last June and the compliance contract was awarded to United Spinal by project manager Tischman Construction. Accessibility Services will be working with the architectural firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) Sport+Venue+Event to develop what Director Dominic Marinelli predicts will be “the most accessible ballpark in the country.”

In an effort to gather feedback on preliminary elements of the design, United Spinal hosted the first of what will be a series of informational meetings for fans with disabilities at Yankee Stadium on September 28th. The meeting drew an overflow crowd of well-informed participants to the Yankees’ “Great Moments Room” and representatives from HOK provided a general overview of the new facility, after which Marinelli and HOK engineer Ed Roether led discussion on general concerns of those in attendance.

United Spinal’s Associate Executive Director Terry Moakley opened the meeting by saying, “We know you’re Yankee fans and we know you’re going to be vocal, and that’s exactly what we want today. We want to get the accessibility features perfect for the new Yankee Stadium and we can’t do that without your help.”

As an example, Marinelli noted that the Americans With Disabilities Act Manager for the Yankees, Carol Laurenzano, suggested electrical outlets be installed in all wheelchair viewing areas so that people needing to plug in medical equipment during the game will be able to do so. He said the idea is not part of any building code or ADA requirement, and Laurenzano learned of this need simply from her experience working with fans with disabilities. Marinelli said outlets are a good common-sense suggestion and will be implemented.

Among other suggestions were:
• Provide adequate depth at wheelchair seating locations to prevent fans in wheelchairs from being bumped or pushed by able-bodied people when passing such locations.
• Clearly marked points of departure for fans needing transportation pickups such as “Access-a-Ride” vehicles.
• Avoid unnecessarily long distances between accessible entrances and parking lots or mass transit arrival areas.
• Ensure adequate vertical clearance in parking garages.
• Ensure that access aisles between cars in handicapped parking areas are wide enough so that people in wheelchairs have enough room to navigate.

Thursday, January 19, 2005
1 pm to 3 pm

I. Update and Introduction

A. Carol Laurenzano, New York Yankees

B. Terry Moakley, United Spinal Association

C. Minutes/Feedback from 9-28 Meeting

D. Web-Info: Accessibility Requirements at the new Yankees Stadium

II. Accessible Parking Issues

A. Player’s Garage at new Yankee Stadium - HOK

B. Area Garages & Lots - New York City Office of Parks & Recreation

C. Accessible Parking Plans - New York City Office of Parks & Recreation

Topics Future Meetings:
Access A Ride Drop Off locations, NYPD Enforcement of Accessible Parking

III. 100% Design Development

A. Changes impacting Accessibility since 9-28 Meeting - Tristan Anderson, HOK

B. Understanding the Lines of Sight & Integration of Wheelchair Viewing Locations - Ed Roether, HOK

C. Companion Locations

Topics Future Meetings: Assistive Listening Devices, Closed/Open Captioning, Signage Requirements

Elevators – visual clues indicating up/down travel.

HOK has indicated that this feature will be provided

Bathrooms - Provide push plates for people with visual disabilities indicating Men’s/Women’s room.

Follow-up required on this suggestion

Request that Family toilet room(s) provide lower changing tables for adults with disabilities.

Follow-up required on this suggestion

Dedicate locations closer to field level or install monitors for people with visual disabilities.

Follow-up required on this suggestion

Ensure wheelchair locations will not be “bumped” by fans walking in front or behind these clear floor spaces.

This is not just a design issue – providing an accessible route to the wheelchair seating area leaves a gap for anyone to walk through.

Ensure color contrast on signage and at stairs.

HOK has indicated that this feature will be provided.

Provide Induction Loop type Assisted Listening Device (ALD) to accommodate people with hearing disabilities.

Follow-up required on this suggestion.

Companion locations - folding chair versus “readily removable” chairs was discussed.

Follow-up required on this suggestion.

Provide “drop-off” areas for Access-A-Ride buses closer to entrances of the stadium.

Day of game traffic is controlled by the NYPD, not by the Yankees. Representatives from the City have been invited to the next meeting to answer questions.

Rail Heights – concern that obstructions will obstruct view.

HOK can minimize obstruction to views of the field of play and can provide images that will demonstrate views from seating areas, but the building code requires a rail height that would obstruct views of someone sitting a couple rows in front of a wheelchair seating area.

Lack of enforcement - abuse of reserved accessible parking and access aisles necessary for a wheelchair user to enter/exit their vehicles.

Parking Garages are not controlled by the Yankees, but will be built and operated by the City. Representatives from the City have been invited to the next meeting to answer questions.

Ticket Policy - discuss abuse of wheelchair viewing locations.

Ticket policy will be discussed in detail at future meetings.