Washington, D.C.: Disabilities & Accessibility

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Disabilities & Accessibility

The city's subways and buses have excellent facilities for visitors with vision and hearing impairments or mobility problems. Metro stations are equipped with elevators, and buses have wheelchair lifts. Recorded announcements on every subway and bus route let you know what stop you are approaching. Virtually all streets throughout the city have wide, level sidewalks with curb cuts, though in Georgetown the brick-paved terrain can be bumpy. All museums and monuments are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs.

The Smithsonian publishes an access guide to all its museums; "Dial-a-Museum" lists museum hours and daily activities. At all Smithsonian museums wheelchairs are available for use free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lodging

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act, the definition of accessibility seems to differ from hotel to hotel. Some properties may be accessible by ADA standards for people with mobility problems but not for people with hearing or vision impairments, for example.

If you have mobility problems, ask for the lowest floor on which accessible services are offered. If you have a hearing impairment, check whether the hotel has devices to alert you visually to the ring of the telephone, a knock at the door, and a fire/emergency alarm. Some hotels provide these devices without charge. Discuss your needs with hotel personnel if this equipment isn't available, so that a staff member can personally alert you in the event of an emergency.

If you're bringing a guide dog, get authorization ahead of time and write down the name of the person with whom you spoke.

Sights & Attractions

You can expect that all federal buildings, museums, and monuments will be completely accessible. Most have been updated since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

To check whether a place you plan to visit is accessible, head to the Web site DisabilityGuide.org, which covers the Washington, D.C., area. The site lists accessible entrances, restrooms, water fountains, parking spaces, and telephones. It also covers restaurants and hotels that go the extra mile to cater to people with hearing and visual impairments. The organization publishes a free printed version of its guide.

City Scooter Tours lead mobility-impaired adults on trips around the city's most famous sights. The tours use comfortable electric vehicles.

Transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division's online publication New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability offers advice for travellers with a disability, and outlines basic rights. Visit DisabilityInfo.gov for general information.

Resources

City Scooter Tours (888/441-7575. www.cityscootertours.com). DisabilityGuide.org (21618 Slidell Rd., Boyds, MD, 20841. 301/528-8664. www.disabilityguide.org). Smithsonian (202/357-2700; 202/357-2020 "Dial-a-Museum," 202/357-1729 TDD. www.si.edu).