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Guests with Disabilities
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center
is committed to accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities
in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Here are some tips
for your visit:
Metro
The closest metro stop to the convention center is Mt. Vernon Sq/7th
St. Convention Center on the Yellow or Green Line. The stop’s entrance/exit
is at the North end of our building on 7th Street – three blocks from
the Mount Vernon Place front entrance. This map shows you the location.
Please be aware that registration for most meetings and other events is near
the front entrance on the opposite side of the building – three blocks
away. Also, please note that as you enter the building from the Metro there
is a small vestibule with a steep set of stairs. The elevator is immediately
to your right. For information about Metro’s accessibility, please visit
their website - Washington Metro Area Transit Authority
Parking
There are twelve designated public parking spaces designated for
vehicles displaying disability parking placards/permits or license tags
in the following locations:
* North end of 7th Street between L and Mt Vernon
Streets (3 metered spaces)
* South end of 9th Steet between Mount Vernon Place and L Street (3 metered
spaces)
* South end of 9th Street between L Street and M Street (3 metered spaces)
* South end of 9th Street between M Street and N Street (3 metered spaces)
All of these handicapped spaces are accessible at the sidewalk side; although
the spaces are not marked for wheelchair transfer.
These spaces are like
most public parking spots and are on a first come first serve basis. We
cannot reserve these spaces. There is no public parking inside the building.
Many
of the parking garages and lots are now open on the weekends to accomodate
events at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and other downtown venues in
addition to there being no charge for metered parking on the streets at
the perimiter of WCC. The hours of operation and hourly rates vary at each
facility.
General Accessibility
There is a curbside drop-off for wheelchairs and sidewalk
curb cut-outs are located at each corner at the perimeter WCC. There are
also ramps leading from the 9th Street and 7th Street corners to the doors
at the Mount Vernon Place entrance. Automatic doors are located at the Mount
Vernon Place, L Street and Metro (7th and M Streets ) entrances. Inside the
center, meeting rooms, exhibit halls and public areas are all served by conveniently
located elevators. Telephones, drinking fountains and restrooms throughout
the building are wheelchair accessible.
The taxi curbside cut-out located
at Mount Vernon Place is available for wheelchair drop-off/transfers. ADA
ramps are accessible from either end of Mount Vernon Place.
Elevators
Passenger elevators located throughout the Center provide access
to all public areas of the building. Elevators are alarm-equipped with
two-way communications to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Command Center
and have tactile Braille call buttons inside and outside the cars.
Hearing
Impaired Services
Infrared Audio Assistive Listening Systems are permanently
installed in the meeting rooms and Ballroom. Contact the organization managing
the event you are visiting if you require these services. You can find
that contact information on our calendar of events.
Restrooms
All WCC restrooms are accessible to persons with disabilities
and contain stalls, sinks and mirrors that are wheelchair accessible.
Service
Animals
Trained service animals are permitted in the Washington Convention
Center with proper supervision.
Sight Impaired Information
Tactile Braille signage is at the entrances to
all meeting rooms and restrooms, and inside and outside all passenger elevators.
Wheelchair
Lifts and Wheelchair Lecterns
If you will be presenting or speaking at an
education session while at the Center, we have portable wheelchair lifts,
instead of portable ramps, to assist you onto stages. We also have wheelchair
lecterns to accommodate you if you are speaking. The lifts take time to
install so be sure to contact the organization managing the event you are
attending so that this equipment can be installed prior to your arrival.
If
you require more information to ensure your visit to the Washington Convention
Center is successful, you may contact the organization managing the event
you are visiting. You can find that contact information on our calendar
of events or you may contact our Guest Services Department or 202-249-3300.
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