The Traveling Wheelchair

655 Massachussets Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 354-5471
http://www.starbucks.com/

After my appointment at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, my friends and I headed to Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge for lunch. The restaurant wasn’t open when we arrived so we went to Starbucks for a cup of coffee to wait until it opened. Wheelchair accessibility at this Starbucks is adequate.

There is street parking, located close to the wheelchair access of the sidewalk. The entrance has no automatic door so my friends held it open for me to enter. Once inside I found it small and tight in some places to maneuver my chair. Access to the tables is difficult for there is no space for me to fit between them. I did manage to find a table on the far end; this table has a table had a handicap sign that states, “Please offer this table to our disabled customers”.

Accessing this table was difficult for there was a small round table blocking the access to the side of this table. The person sitting at the table was nice enough to push the table over so I could comfortably sit at the table.

The ordering counter is of a good height for me to access and easy for me to pay the cashier for my cup of coffee.

Restrooms are spacious, wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant. The required safety rails are located at a perfect height on the rear and side wall of the toilet; the accessible sink is of a perfect height and the pipes underneath are covered; the soap dispenser and hand towels are easy for me to reach.

I give Starbucks THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Two Stars, they would need to install an automatic entry door; space the tables further apart; and ensure there is always adequate access to the table that is for disabled customers.