2023-12-07 08:37:38
Washington, DC is one of the most wheelchair-accessible cities in the world. While the city is always working to improve, the local hospitality industry is committed to welcoming visitors with special needs.
ACCESSIBLE ATTRACTIONS
While all of DC’s attractions and cultural institutions are welcoming and accessible to visitors, the following attractions maintain dedicated web pages outlining their accessibility features, including ramps, sign language-interpreted tours and wheelchairs.
These attractions include:
• Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Shakespeare Theatre Company Harman Center for the Arts
• Washington National Cathedral
• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
On the National Mall and in the memorial parks, you’ll find permit-only parking adjacent to the FDR Memorial and World War II Memorial as well as near the Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, Korean War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans Memorials. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan at the FDR, Korean War Veterans, World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. You can reach the Lincoln Memorial and Thomas Jefferson Memorial interiors using elevators located in the memorials’ ground-level lobbies.
ADA Compliant: Check with individual facilities about ADA compliance.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The Smithsonian Institution offers numerous resources to ensure a visit to any of its DC museums is satisfying. Here are a few need-to-know facts as you plan a trip that requires access services. Make sure to visit the Access Smithsonian website for a full overview, including additional general museum tips.
• Manual wheelchairs are available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis at all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo.
• Visitors are welcome to use their own personal mobility devices in Smithsonian museums.
• Access services for public programs, such as real-time captioning and sign language interpretation, can be arranged by emailing access@si.edu.
• Open captioning is provided on all museum exhibition videos.
• Assistive listening devices are available at all Smithsonian museums.
• Tactile and visual description tours can be arranged by contacting the individual museums or by emailing access@si.edu.
• Tactile elements are available throughout many Smithsonian museums.
• The Smithsonian Institution guide and map are available in braille and large print at each museum’s information desk.
• Bathrooms are located throughout the Smithsonian museums. All bathrooms have an accessible stall, and some museums have a Family/Companion Care restroom. Inquire at the museum Information Desk or look at the museum’s map to find bathroom locations.
Visit Access Smithsonian for more information at access.si.edu.
ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES
Metro prides itself on being one of the most accessible public transportation systems in the world. In addition to a comprehensive website outlining services available to mobility-challenged visitors, Metro has also compiled a downloadable guide to accessible transportation options throughout the region.
ScootAround offers scooter and wheelchair rentals for a minimum of three days, weekly or for longer periods of time so that you can navigate the city and its sites in comfort and ease.
Orthopaedic Mobility Rentals provides daily, weekly or monthly rentals throughout the DC Metro area.
Gallaudet
DC’s Gallaudet University has been the educational, political, social and economic engine of the deaf and signing community on a national and global scale for more than 160 years. Free, in-person campus tours are available.
ASL/Language Services
For travelers in need of language support and interpreting, download the Jeenie app on your smartphone or iPad for 24/7 assistance, including on-demand American Sign Language interpreting via video chat.
For more accessible tourism info, visit WASHINGTON.ORG/ACCESSIBILITY
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