Inaugural organizers plan for disabled people

Discussion

January 14, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Jan 14, 2009, 03:24 PM CST

Inaugural organizers and transportation officials say people with disabilities and the elderly should expect long delays in getting to the National Mall, parade route and swearing-in ceremony. They are advising everyone to plan ahead and have a backup plan. Here’s a highlight of what to expect on Jan. 20:

— No cars with disability tags or license plates will be allowed to park around the Capitol on Inauguration Day.

— People with disabilities attending the swearing-in ceremony may be dropped off at South Capitol and E Street and North Capitol and E Street, where golf carts will be available to transport them to security check points.

— Canes, including those with a fold-down seat, walkers and scooters are allowed at the swearing-in ceremony.

— There will be raised platforms for wheelchair users in the seating areas at the Capitol, but space is limited. Similar platforms will be on the National Mall, too.

— Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant bleachers will be available along the parade route for people with disabilities who have parade tickets and those who don’t.

— Sign language interpreters will be in different sections at the swearing-in and along the parade route. Open captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available on large TV screens on the Mall and parade route.

— Audio description services will be available for the blind and those with limited vision at the swearing-in ceremony and the parade.

— Thirteen entry points for the parade will open at 7 a.m. Jan. 20. All will accommodate people with disabilities.

— MetroAccess, Metro transit system’s subscription service for people with disabilities, will operate its regular schedule on Jan. 20, but there will not be service to inauguration venues. Door-to-door service will be limited. Customers should expect major delays and to maneuver long distances on their own.

— Access to elevators in Metro’s train stations will probably be limited because of crowds. Escalators won’t be operating in certain stations.

— Wheelchair-accessible port-a-potties will be available along the parade route, National Mall and Capitol grounds.