Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Washington, D.C., is one of the most accessible cities in the world for travelers with disabilities. It helps that it was here that Congress recognized and established the rights of the disabled when it passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, with amendments added in 2008. If you're not already familiar with the act and all that it entitles you, or if you want to learn more, access the website, www.ada.gov.

In the capital, you'll find that federal buildings, even the most historic and access-challenging, have been altered to conform to ADA requirements. So, the Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, and such national landmarks as the Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, Vietnam War, and Korean War memorials and the Washington Monument are each equipped to accommodate visitors with disabilities; many keep wheelchairs on the premises. There's limited parking for visitors with disabilities at some of these locations. Call ahead to these and other sightseeing attractions for accessibility information and special services.

But while government buildings and national attractions are easily accessible, private hotels, restaurants, clubs, and shops aren't always, since some seem to interpret ADA rules in ways that are often disabled-unfriendly. The best overall source of information about accessibility at specific Washington hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and attractions is available from the nonprofit organization Access Information. You can read the information (including restaurant reviews) online at www.disabilityguide.org, or order a free copy of the Washington, DC Access Guide by calling tel. 301/528-8664, or by writing to Access Information, 21618 Slidell Rd., Boyds, MD 20841. The information is not totally current, but you can find out more by calling or e-mailing the organization.

The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority publishes accessibility information on its website www.wmata.com, or you can call tel. 202/962-1245 (TTY 202/628-8973) with questions about Metro services for travelers with disabilities, including how to obtain an ID card that entitles you to discounted fares. (Make sure that you apply at least 3 weeks ahead to allow enough time to obtain an ID card.) For up-to-date information about how Metro is operating on the day you're using it -- to verify that the elevators are operating at the stations you'll be traveling to, for instance -- call tel. 202/962-1212.

Each Metro station is equipped with an elevator (complete with Braille number plates) to train platforms and extra-wide fare gates for wheelchair users; rail cars are fully accessible. Metro has installed punctuated rubber tiles leading up to the granite-lined platform edge to warn visually impaired Metro riders that they're nearing the tracks; barriers between rail cars prevent the blind from mistaking the gap for entry to a car. For the hearing-impaired, flashing lights indicate arriving trains; for the visually impaired, door chimes let you know when the train doors are closing. Train operators make station and onboard announcements of train destinations and stops, although the noise of the train and a less-than-perfect audio system often make these announcements unintelligible. Nearly all of the District's Metrobuses have wheelchair lifts and kneel at the curb, though they aren't always operating. The TTY number for Metro information is tel. 202/638-3780.

Regular Tourmobile trams are accessible to visitors with disabilities. The company also operates special vans for immobile travelers, complete with wheelchair lifts. Tourmobile recommends that you call a day ahead to ensure that the van is available for you when you arrive. For information, call tel. 703/979-0690, or go to www.tourmobile.com.

Major Washington museums, including all Smithsonian museum buildings, are accessible to wheelchair visitors. The Smithsonian has in place an accessibility program, the details of which you can learn about by calling tel. 202/633-2921 or TTY 202/633-4353. Go online at www.si.edu/visit/visitors_with_disabilities.htm for more information, including downloadable maps that identify accessibility points throughout all Smithsonian buildings.

Washington theaters are handily equipped. Among the most accessible are these two:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is fully accessible. The center provides headphones to hearing-impaired patrons at no charge. A wireless, infrared listening-enhancement system is available in all theaters. Some performances offer sign language and audio description. A public TTY is located in the lobby of the Family Theater near the entrance of the Hall of States, as well as on parking lot level A. Large-print programs are available at every performance; a limited number of Braille programs are available from the house manager. All theaters in the complex are wheelchair accessible. To reserve a wheelchair, call tel. 202/416-8340. For other questions regarding patrons with disabilities, including information about half-price tickets (you will need to submit a letter from your doctor stating that your disability is permanent), access the center's website, www.kennedy-center.org, or call the Office for Accessibility (tel. 202/416-8727). The TTY number is tel. 202/416-8728.

The National Theatre is wheelchair accessible and features special performances of its shows for visually and hearing-impaired theatergoers. To obtain amplified-sound earphones for narration, simply ask an usher before the performance (you'll need to provide an ID). The National also offers a limited number of half-price tickets to patrons with disabilities who have obtained a Special Patron card from the theater, or who can provide a letter from a doctor certifying disability; you may receive no more than two half-price tickets. For details, call tel. 202/628-6161, or go the website, www.nationaltheatre.org.