Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

Although Washington, D.C., is one of the most accessible cities in the world for travelers with disabilities, it is not perfect, especially when it comes to historic buildings, as well as restaurants and shops. Theaters, museums, and government buildings are all well equipped. Still, rule of thumb for least hassle is to call ahead to places you hope to visit to find out specific accessibility features. In the case of restaurants and bars, I'm afraid you'll have to work to pin them down -- no one wants to discourage a potential customer. Several sources might help: The local nonprofit organization Access Information's website, www.disabilityguide.org, offers helpful information, including restaurant reviews and transportation options. You can order its print guide about accessibility in D.C. or call founder Russ Holt (tel. 240/505-8655), himself a quadriplegic, for further information. 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).