The Traveling Wheelchair

240 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Store: 617-236-2210
Pharmacy: 617-236- 4007
http://www.cvs.com/

After leaving the  Apple Store in Boston my mom, Ric, Tony and I saw a CVS Pharmacy and decided to stop and buy some bottled water for our ride home. At first we didn’t think this CVS was wheelchair accessible because we saw steps at the entry door.

Then Tony noticed an old sign made of copper that had Handicapped Entrance written with arrow directing you to a side entry door. I am visually impaired and couldn’t see the sign at all because it blends right into the color of the brick on the building.

We then proceeded up a sloped walkway leading to the side entry door and were surprised this side door is NOT marked as a handicapped accessible entrance to CVS. This door is not automatic so Tony held it open while Ric pushed my manual chair inside. Once inside we found ourselves in a hallway and saw an elevator and a side entry door leading to CVS.

This side entry door is not clearly marked as a CVS entrance yet we could see the inside of the CVS by looking through the glass on the door. This entry door is not automatic either so once again Tony had to hold it open while Ric pushed my manual chair inside. Upon opening the door was saw a large sign posted on the interior side of the door clearly stating there is access to the pharmacy which is located downstairs via the elevator in the hallway. Upon entering we saw a staircase leading down to the Pharmacy.

Once further inside this CVS, I found all the aisles are plenty wide enough for my chair with no clutter in the aisles blocking access as some other stores have. The cashier counter is of a good wheelchair accessible height; an ATM/Credit Card Transaction machine is easy to reach if a customer in a wheelchair wishes to pay for their merchandise with debit or credit. The employee was very kind, courteous and helpful.

I give this CVS on Newbury Street THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Two Stars they would need to place a larger and clearer sign at the front entrance stating wheelchair access is at the side entry door; place a wheelchair accessible sign on the two side entry doors so a customer will know these doors lead to CVS; and install automatic entry doors at the accessible entrances so customers in wheelchairs can enter and exit this CVS independently.