The Traveling Wheelchair

371 Marion Road
Wareham, MA 02571
Phone: 508-291-6040
http://www.thegatewaytavern.com/

This week my friends and I had to go to the bank in Wareham to cash a check for the house petty cash. While in Wareham, we stopped for lunch at The Gateway Tavern & Grill. Overall the wheelchair accessibility at this restaurant is good and the food and service was great.

There are 2 large handicap parking spaces close the wheelchair accessible ramp which leads to the main entry doors. These handicap parking spaces do NOT have the required sign posted; these parking spaces only have a wheelchair accessible symbol painted on the ground which is often difficult to see especially in the winter months with snow coverage.

The wheelchair accessible ramp leading to the entrance is easy to wheel up for the slope is gradual; the ramp has safety rails on each side which is ADA required. The entry door is plenty wide enough but not automatic so Amanda held it open while Ric pushed my manual chair inside.

Once inside we were greeted by a very kind host who showed us to our table. Most of the seating in the main dining room are tables and all are of a good accessible height. Veronica, our waitress was very kind, courteous and friendly; she kindly wished us a Happy New Year! The food and the service was great!

The Tavern’s lounge area has 2 wheelchair accessible tables of a good height. The bar is NOT wheelchair accessible for it is too high and doesn’t have a lower section as some bars do. The bar tender was very kind; he told us if a customer in a wheelchair sits at a table in the Tavern, the bar tender would come over to serve them their drinks.

The restrooms are spacious, wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant except the pipes under the accessible sink are not covered as is ADA required. The faucet, soap and hand towel dispenser are all within my reach.

I give the Gateway Tavern THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Two Stars they would need to place an accessible sign in front of the 2 handicap parking spaces; install an automatic entry door so a person in a wheelchair can enter independently; lower a section of the bar to an accessible height so a person in a wheelchair can enjoy a drink at the bar; and cover the pipes under the accessible sink in the restroom which is ADA required. Our waitress Veronica deserves FIVE STARS for her kindness and sensitivity.