NEW YORK CITY — NYC & Company’s online Accessible NYC travel tool aims to make trip planning that much easier for all travellers.

“Every single person who visits should be able to experience the countless attractions offered throughout New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our goal is to make sure accessibility does not stand in the way of enjoying incredible destinations across all five boroughs. Accessible NYC visitor resources help make that goal a reality.”

Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, said the new Accessible NYC guide will help visitors confidently choose NYC as their next travel destination, and helps to further reinforce that all are welcome. “New York City is the most inspirational and exciting destination on the planet, and we believe that experiencing its attractions and energy should be accessible to every visitor.”

More than 60 million people visit New York City each year and about six million of those visitors, or approximately 10%, are people with disabilities. “Making informed decisions before they leave will ensure that their time spent visiting the Greatest City in the World is spent in the most accessible places,” said Victor Calise, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “Gaining access to everything the City has to offer regardless of your disability is at the core of what our office does, and Accessible NYC achieves that.”

NYC & Company says the accessibility of a destination “is a crucial factor” when it comes to many visitors’ travel decisions. “Accessible NYC will not only provide unique, inspirational content for visitors but will provide more and new information for planning their New York City experience.”

Accessible NYC (nycgo.com/accessibility) has an interactive search filter allows travellers to find hotels, restaurants, attractions and more, sorted by the specific resources that accommodate their mobility, auditory and visual needs, and can also be sorted by neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Additional special features include everything from ‘Accessible Broadway Theater’ to an Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar.

Accessible NYC visitor resources were informed in part by the 2014 NYC Building Code, 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards for Design, and the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.

At launch, the Accessible NYC search functionality includes amenities that accommodate physical, visual and auditory accessibility. NYC & Company encourages visitors to contact businesses to confirm the availability of necessary amenities in advance of their trip.