Hi- looks like you are from the UK. I am in the US and am used to the required accomodations in public places due to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Basically you should find some way to get between floors without taking stairs and be accommodated in a public space. Basically all public structures are required to have elevators that are easily accessible. That is they can't be hidden down a long back alley that is hard to navigate ;-) Bathrooms will be required to have a stall of sufficient size for a wheelchair and stalls with hand rails. You will typically be able to easily find "handicapped parking" in the US which is identifiable by the blue signs with a wheelchair noted on them or painted on the ground. You must have license plates indicating you are handicapped to use them or get a placard to hang on your rear view mirror. It must be hung just when parking and not while driving where it could disrupt your vision. Information on getting a temporary permit linked below or ask your rental car company if they have tags or if they could get one for you. https://uk.usembassy.gov/disabled-parking-permits-visitors-u-s/ I have traveled a bit since having my hip replacement and found place and people very accomodating. For example when I was a chaperone for my daughter's band trip to Washington DC they scurried over with a wheel chair for me to use for the White House Tour. I didn't even ask for it and they ran one over and encourage me to use it for the tour as it was quite long. My daughter pushed me and several others with us used the bottom space to store purses/packages, etc. so it was quite handy. This gives me an idea that I have been thinking about. Many of us are in different countries or sometimes in the same country but in a different region. We would like to visit that area and know that we know someone there that would understand us and what our needs are or could be. For example I'm not in NY but have friends that are and that may have advice for you and what to see or what to avoid ;-) We could be our own little network for our gravel dreams to come true. Me? I'd love to see the London area and Vienna. Anyone want to see the Midwest like the Black Hills/Mount Rushmore? Maybe that will be a future post ;-)

As far as having proof of a disability I didn't really have anything more than a walking stick and people were accomodating at tourist places. You will need a Dr to sign off if you want a handicapped placard/sign for your car for good parking. Hotels have special rooms that are more accessible and have grab bars in the showers, etc. If you are somewhere and don't see how it is complying with ADA law you can certainly ask where the "ADA compliant "XX" is and an employee should be able to tell you and know what you are talking about. One big concept going around the US right now is the "invisible disability" to recognize that all the ways a person may be disabled may not be apparent and may not affect them 24x7. For example I am much better in the morning but fatigue will catch up to me so at night I am shot. For concerts or public events you can also ask for special seating. Just push the "ADA compliance" angle. With the current mood/attitude in the US I think visitors from the UK will also be very welcome. I'd have some reservations coming from some other countries. I've heard travel advisories against the US from some regions and that just saddens me.