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ACCESSIBLE WASHINGTON, D.C.
If you want to learn about the workings of the United States; government and see the art, history, and culture that have shaped our country; Washington, D.C. is the place to go. Chosen by George Washington in 1790 as the site for the nation’s capital, it has emerged from a mosquito-infested bog to a city of world class sophistication. Built midway on the line between the North and South, with accessibility to the sea from the Potomac River, it is a district that has never become a state. The residents here elect a mayor and they also vote for president and vice president, but they have minimal representation in Congress.
The War of 1812 almost saw its demise with the whole city burning to the ground with the exception of a single building. Rebuilt and developing with the growth of the nation, it again faced destruction with the outbreak of the Civil War. The city now stands as a testament to George Washington's vision and is established not only as a principle seat of power and politics, but also as a vibrant city full of culture and top entertainment.
Washington, D.C.
Divided into four quadrants: northwest, southwest, southwest, and southeast - with the U.S. Capitol standing in the center. When heading for a specific address, be sure to look for the quadrant indicator at the end of the street address (example: the White House is located in the northwest quadrant so the address reads 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW). This will keep you from ending up at the right address but in the wrong part of town.
The Northwest quadrant is a good place to start your sightseeing. Be sure to pace your visit to see the things you really want to see and not all there is to see unless you are planning to take up residency - you can spend weeks in the Smithsonian Institute alone!
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The official memorial to President Kennedy. The building houses the Eisenhower Theater (used mainly for plays), the Opera House (opera, musicals, and ballet), the Concert Hall (symphony concerts, recitals, and popular music events), the American Film Institute Theater (movies), the Terrance Theater (drama, chamber music, poetry readings, and modern dance), and the Free Theater (theater lab). There is also a performing arts library and restaurants.
The Center has designated and ramped entrances and the facilities are accessible. There is wheelchair seating in all the theaters, but if you should decide to attend tickets need to be purchased well in advance. A list of performances for the time you are visiting is available upon request. This a regular stop for the Tourmobile.
Fords Theater & House
This is where Lincoln Died. John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln in 1865. It has been completely restored and now stages Broadway shows and original productions.
The entrance is ramped and the main level is accessible, however the president’s box located upstairs is not. The addition of a lift makes it possible to visit the basement museum which exhibits Abraham Lincoln's life and the assassination. Unfortunately, the house where Lincoln died is not accessible, but a photo album is available.
The Washington Monument
A 555 foot white- marble obelisk dedicated in 1885 as the official memorial for the first U.S. President. As the tallest masonry structure in the world, it's popularity is due to the wonderful view it provides of the city. There is an inclined pathway leading from the parking lot and an elevator takes visitors up to the 500 foot level and back. Beware that summertime lines can get very long.
The White House
Home and office of the president of the United States was constructed under the surveying eye of George Washington and every U.S. president has resided here except for Washington himself. Renovated after the War of 1812, the blackened fire- damaged walls were painted white, lending the name "White House". Tours are from 8:00am to noon and are self guided. Wheelchair entrance is by the northeast gate and wheelchair visitors and up to six in their party can start their tour from this point. Timed tickets or waiting in line is not required. You can visit the Library and Vermeil Room, the East Room, Green, Blue and Red rooms and the state Dining Room. The public is not allowed to visit the Oval Office or the presidential living quarters. VIP tours are available when tickets are requested months in advance from a representative or senator. These tours are conducted in the morning before the regular tours and you usually get to ask questions. Visitors from other nations should contact their respective embassies for passes to the VIP tours.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Built by private contributions from American citizens, will gradually descend you into an incredibly quiet place with its black granite walls. It's overwhelming to see the names of more than 58, 000 men and women who died in Vietnam or are missing. The names are inscribed in chronological order by the date they were taken and you're sure to notice the subtle significance of catching your own reflection in the polished granite. The wall is totally accessible and is also a stop for the Tourmobile.
The Capitol
Capitol Hill is where Congress meets and is the main workplace of the U.S. government. It is one of the most familiar landmarks in the United States and even if you miss listening to a heated debate, it is an exciting place to be (the daily newspapers print a listing of congressional sessions and hearings). You can tour the Capitol on your own or with a guided tour, which is wheelchair accessible, and start from the Rotunda (180 foot white dome with 10-ton bronze doors) every few minutes.
The Lincoln Memorial
A monument to one of the world's most beloved national leaders. The unforgettable sculpture sits gazing out across the reflecting pool to the Washington Monument and the Capitol with an engraved copy of the Gettysburg Address on one side and his Second Inaugural Address on the other. Ramps and an elevator give wheelchair visitors full access and it is also a stop for the Tourmobile. If you are a bit weary from sightseeing, you'll find this place very comforting and if you're visiting on Sunday during the summer, you may catch a polo match on the field east of the Memorial.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A 19 foot statue under an elegant dome and colonnaded white-marble rotunda. Dedicated to the third president and primary architect of U.S. political philosophy, it gazes out across the Tidal Basin and is surrounded by excerpts of four of Jefferson's writings. A wheelchair ramp and elevator makes this attraction accessible.
Bureau of Engraving.
This is where U.S. paper money, bonds, postage stamps and other items are printed. A high-speed press churns out 7,000 sheets of bills every hour totaling $100 billion each year. Self guided tours run continuously and are wheelchair accessible. Special guided tours can be requested months (at least three) in advance by contacting your congressional representative, otherwise you can stop in on Monday and obtain tickets for any day of the week. Beware that security is very strict and photography is forbidden. This is also a stop for the Tourmobile.
The Smithsonian Institution
Affectionately known as "America’s attic" due to it’s treasure-trove of artifacts, relics and memorabilia. Composed of 16 different museums, it has become one of the world's great museums housing more than 60 million items. It is truly something you do not want to miss offering something of interest for everyone. If you can only spend a limited amount of time here, we suggest you see the Museum of Natural History (gems-which include the Hope Diamond, minerals, botanical, zoological and geological material, Dinosaur Hall, cultural displays of Africa, Asia, the Pacific , and the Americas), the Museum of American History (traces cultural, scientific, political, and technological development of the U.S. - with an interesting exhibit of collected memorabilia from movie stars and other famous people), and the National Air and Space Museum (history of aviation and the space age). The Smithsonian offers an excellent disabled visitor's guide which we will include in your final documents.
The Library of Congress
Consisting of three buildings and is not only the nation’s library, but is one of the world's largest. Housing more than 100 million treasured pieces on 340 miles of shelves, you'll find items ranging from comic books, rare first editions, and manuscripts to the 500-year-old illuminated Giant Bible of Mainz. The library complex also includes the Folger Shakespeare Library which holds the finest collection of Shakespeare material and rare books and manuscripts from the Renaissance. All the buildings are accessible and guided tours start in the Madison building with a 22 minute film. This is a stop of the Tourmobile.
Frederick Douglas House
A great visit for serious history buffs. A film is shown in the Visitor Center on a regular basis which outlines the life of the former slave who became an outstanding author and abolitionist. The first floor of the house is accessible and there is a photo album available of the second floor. The Tourmobile departs twice daily for the home.
For a wonderful way to enhance your visit, we can arrange a dining cruise on the Potomac
River on board the elegant mega-yacht, the Odyssey III. The Odyssey III is specifically
designed to travel beneath the Potomac's historic bridges and her glass-atrium dining
rooms offer panoramic views of the nation's greatest monuments from every table. A
delightful way to treat yourself, you can choose a Sunday Jazz Brunch, Luncheon, Dinner, or
for you nightowls, a Moonlight cruise at midnight. You'll have three hours of spectacular
cuisine, personalized service, live music, and incredible skyline views. Just the right kind of
ingredients needed for an indelible memory. The Odyssey III is fully accessible and detailed
menus of all with pricing are available upon request.Accommodations can be arranged in three categories: high, medium, and low pricing rates. Each is located close to popular sights and attractions and are fully accessible. Availability of the hotel of your choice, a complete hotel information sheet, and rates for the time you are traveling are available upon request.
If you want to stay in the Northwest quadrant, the Willard Inter-Continental is only two blocks away from the White House. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, it is a high-end hotel and is within walking distance of the National Mall Museums. Wheelchair entrance is right next to the main entrance and there is valet parking. There are seven accessible rooms with three as smoking and four non-smoking. There are rooms available with king size beds and the rest have queens, all on platforms. Sinks are accessible, toilets are raised with grab bars, and showers are roll-in. Rates are seasonal and run from $199. - $380.
The Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill is not as pricey and can be considered moderately priced. This will put you close to the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Air & Space Museum and Smithsonian. All public areas are accessible including the restrooms with the exception of the aerobic deck. There is a lift in the pool and indoor valet designated parking with a ramped entrance. There are twelve accessible rooms with roll-in showers with hand-held shower head, accessible sink, and raised toilets. You have a choice of smoking or non-smoking rooms, all have wide doors, lowered peepholes and closet rods. There are king size beds or two double, all of which are on frames with plenty of room to maneuver around the beds. For international travelers, all rooms offer three prong outlets. Rates are seasonal and run from $175. - $290.
A more modestly priced hotel that will still keep you within walking distance to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol is the Holiday Inn. All the public areas are accessible including the restrooms with the exception of the rooftop pool. There is no designated parking, but entrance is ramped and panels in the elevator are low. There are accessible rooms for either smoking or non-smoking with wide doors, lowered peepholes, and low closet rods. All have a king size bed on a platform and a sleeper sofa with plenty of room around the bed to maneuver. The showers are roll-in with hand-held shower head, the sinks are accessible and toilets are raised. Rates are seasonal and run from $139. - $179.
For getting you around town to see all these fascinating sights, we offer the following options
that can be arranged for you:
The Tourmobile
Which is mentioned in several of the attractions we listed, runs continuous narrated tours on a route that covers all the major sights in central Washington. Your ticket is good all day and you can reboard as many times as you like.
The regular tourmobiles are not accessible, but they have smaller accessible vehicles that offer all the same services.
Van/Car Rental
If you prefer being a bit more independent and would like control of where you go and when (and you're brave enough to face the traffic!), van rental with specially equipped features are available. Rates are by day or week and they pick up and deliver at the airport for an additional fee. Rates for the time you want to travel (approximately $95./day) and information on the van’s features are available upon request.
The Metrobus
Offers lift-equipped and kneeling buses with tie-down equipment to secure a wheelchair user for the trip. There is a regularly scheduled lift service available for most routes and an On-Call service for travel on routes not available with the accessible bus. A bus schedule for the Metrobus is available upon request.
Personal tour guide
If you would prefer to have someone show you around this wonderful town, we have a guide for you who will escort you (he does not provide the transportation) where you want to go and fill in all those little trivia facts that always surrounds every sight to see. He knows the schedules and visiting hours, where to get tickets, when it's a good time to visit, and can run interference for you if a problem should arise. He loves people and showing them his town whether you are just by yourself or traveling as a group. He'll run you about $70./day and availability is a concern between March and June, but he's definitely a way to turn a good trip into a great one!
Group's
If a group of you are visiting Washington, D.C. and would like a privately escorted tour, we can arrange a tour guide, driver, and an Ambullete which will hold four wheelchairs plus three people. If this seems to be the way you want to go, rates and availability are available upon request.
Please note:
If there is an attraction(s) that you are interested in seeing, but do not know if it is
accessible, we will be happy to investigate and provide you with all pertinent information.
Your tour package will include:
Confirmed reservations at the hotel of your choice.
Confirmed booking for the Tourmobile or van rental.
Directions to all attractions and accessible parking areas.
Guide to accessible entrance ways for all attractions.
Guide on all attraction's daily hours and entrance fees (when applicable).
Map of Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian Institute Disabled Visitor's Guide
List of special events taking place at the time you are visiting (when applicable)
If you would like a personal, Medicaly Trained, Attendent - Please Click
General list of weather and traveling tips for the Washington, D.C. area, including airport
information.If you are booking reservations for the Odyssey III or the private tour guide, confirmation will be included in your tour package.
Pricing:
All pricing is contingent with choice of accommodations, transportation, and optionals (tour guide, cruise) and our service fee
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