The nation's capital is a great base for a vacation and has plenty of attractions on offer itself. If you are handicapped or traveling with handicapped companions, it can sometimes be difficult to find activities that are suitable, have proper access or adequate parking. Washington, D.C., has many museums, historic buildings and outdoor spaces that have easy handicapped access and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Stroll Among the Monuments
The paths around the National Mall are suitable for wheelchairs, so all visitors can enjoy the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pools. Even the Lincoln Memorial, though most people access it by the front steps, has an elevator in the lobby so handicapped tourists can appreciate the view from the top and of the sculpture itself. Parking is limited, but there is permit-only disabled parking next to the FDR Memorial, and the parking garages at the Capital Gallery, Holiday Inn and Ronald Reagan Building all have accessible parking spaces for visitors in wheelchairs. The D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles accepts parking permits from elsewhere in the country.
Take a Tour
Many of the bus companies that offer tours of the city have wheelchair access, and some even offer sign language so deaf visitors can enjoy the full experience too. Washington Old Town Trolley Tours runs various tours throughout the day and night, and many of their trolleys are wheelchair accessible.The company asks that handicapped customers call 24 hours in advance to ensure that they are not disappointed. The same company runs the DC Duck Tours, in an amphibious vehicle, that tours the streets of Washington before splashing into the Potomac River.These vehicles are also wheelchair accessible, by prior arrangement.
Smithsonian Museums
All the Smithsonian Museums are wheelchair accessible, and sign language tours can be arranged in advance. Attractions within the museum complex include the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, American History Museum and the National Zoo. Each museum has at least one entrance for handicapped visitors, will provide assistance or free wheelchairs if required, and provides alternatives to stairs throughout. Parking is limited, as it is all over Washington, D.C., but there are spaces that are pemit-only in the city center close to the museums. The Smithsonian is open every day and is free to enter.
Heart of the Country
Visitors to Washington, D.C., can visit the Capitol building, either to take a tour or even to watch Congress in session, by obtaining a pass from your representative or senator. The building is wheelchair accessible, and sign language tours can be booked in advance. The exhibition hall on the lower level tells the story of the U.S. Congress and the construction of the Capitol building itself. While security concerns have limited the tours of the White House, it is possible to gain entrance to the historic building if you arrange it through your member of Congress at least 30 days in advance. The building has handicapped access and also offers a limited number of wheelchairs for visitors to borrow, free of charge.
Hiring Equipment
If you suffer from minor mobility problems and would like to hire a wheelchair or mobility scooter while on vacation, you can find a number of businesses that offer this service in Washington. Most attractions, such as the White House and the Smithsonian Museums, have wheelchairs on site that you can borrow free of charge, though this service usually has only a limited number. Companies like Scootaround and DC Tours offer hourly, half-daily and daily rates for electric scooters and wheelchairs, while Ride-Away hires out wheelchair accessible vehicles to visitors.
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