But she was also "Ms. Wheelchair NY, 2012." Why is that OK to use the wheelchair as an identifying factor, but acknowledging that she's "in" a wheelchair is bad?

I guess maybe it depends on where you are located. Where I am from, you can find lots of places that have $3-$4 drinks. A buck a round is usually standard in my hometown if you're paying with cash. If you open a tab then you base the tip on the total bill at the end of the night.