Recently Kevin, Jowanna and I visited New Bedford’s Water Front Visitor Center located in the historic Wharfinger Building that was built in 1934. The historical Wharfinger Building has been restored for everyone to enjoy and we were especially pleased to find it is very wheelchair friendly and accessible:-)
There are three handicap parking spaces conveniently located close to the wheelchair accessible ramp that leads to the main entrance. The entry door is not automatic so Jowanna held it open while Kevin pushed my manual chair inside.
The Water Front Visitor Center offers plenty of information on New Bedford’s historical landmarks, parks and attractions; there are plenty of books, maps and pamphlets available for you to view. Inside is spacious with plenty of room to maneuver my wheelchair and look around. I met a very kind employee who told us a little about the history of the city; the historic Wharfinger Building is known to many mariners as the Old Fish Auction House. The customer service counter is at a good height for my chair and I had no problem reaching.
The single person restroom is wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant except the pipes under the accessible sink are not covered as is ADA required.
I give the Water Front Visitor Center in New Bedford FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the Fifth Star they would need to install an automatic entry door so a visitor in a wheelchair can enter and exit independently; and place protective covering on the pipes underneath the accessible sink in the restroom. The kind employee I met deserves FIVE STARS for being very informative, helpful, sensitive and courteous.