The Air Carriers Access Act requires airlines to create a disability seating program. Each has one of a few different options at their disposal. Northwest appears to have subscribed to the "block seat" program. As a result, NWA is required by federal law to block some accesible seats until 24 hours prior to departure. They can release these at 24 hours, however if you choose one and a disabled customer should need it - you're going to be moved anyway.

Now as for using a loophole to access those seats...everyone has always had access to these seats by being less than truthfull over the phone. There really is no difference if you use this method and "lie" online.

Pretty much everyone on this board has access to the "P" seats - hopefully you can find one of those and not need to inconvenience a disabled customer.

I don't know Northwest's booking system - but in Sabre this problem would be easily solved. In Sabre special access is required to access blocked seats (disability blocked that is). Just don't give the internet engine this access. You are still able to assign the elite seats, based on a members status.