Written by Julie Jones, Have Wheelchair Will Travel, November 23, 2023
After years of border closures (thanks Covid), many travellers are determined to live out their travel dreams despite the squeeze on household budgets with increased cost of living. So, it’s more important than ever to travel smart and make your travel dollars stretch as far as possible. If you’ve got the US in your sights, there is somewhere you should definitely put on your itinerary where you are guaranteed to get more bang for your buck, even with the less than favourable exchange. I found earlier this year that Washington DC is a destination that offers exceptional value for money. I’ve never researched a trip where free admission is often offered with such wonderful abandon. Washington DC also offers an incredible range of access and inclusion at its museums and monuments too.
Washington DC – accessibility & inclusion
I’ll be sharing individual reviews on accommodation, attractions and accessible dining venues but I wanted to provide an overview of what you can expect regarding accessibility in Washington DC.
The city is extremely walkable and wheelable with wide streets, cut-outs at kerbs and an accessible public transport system.
Both the Metro and the bus system is accessible. As with many US cities the ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) has paved the way for easier access for locals and travellers alike. Washington DC however takes access and inclusion to another level with many of the attractions offering exceptional inclusive facilities and features.
Tactile models at some sites allow blind travellers to feel representations of sculptures that others are admiring visually. Some even offer audio descriptions. Sensory kits are available at many museums offering those that benefit from fidget toys a bag to use while visiting the attraction. Braille guides and maps are also often offered as well as audio described tours which can be pre-booked. Visitors with mobility restrictions are well catered for with well sign posted ramps, lifts and wheelchair accessible routes.
Washington DC is probably best known for being the heart of American politics and for its enviable and extensive range of museums but the city’s diverse and eclectic dining scene should not be overlooked. I had many lovely meals, from the delights of Hell’s Kitchen to traditional Neapolitan pizza at a restaurant that is Deaf owned and operated.
Washington DC is far from one dimensional and visitors should allow adequate time in the city to peel back the many layers that make this city one of the most accessible and diverse in the US.