Student Affairs » ARC

Washington, D.C. Points of Interest

• Kennedy Center
• Verizon Center
• The Metro System
• The Smithsonian Institution and the National Zoo

The Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center, located at 2700 F Street, NW (next to the Watergate Hotel), offers half-price tickets to persons with permanent disabilities. These must be purchased either in advance of the first performance or on the day of the performance and cannot be resold, transferred, exchanged, or returned for refund. Call the Friends of the Kennedy Center at 202-416-8727 for information on eligibility or how to use the program.

Other services for the people with disabilities are also available. Infrared hearing devices are available for the Opera House, the Eisenhower Theatre, and the Terrace Theatre free of charge in the Hall of States. Wheelchairs can be reserved in advance by calling 202-416-8340. Garage parking assistance may be obtained by calling 202-416-7980.

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The Verizon Center

The Verizon Center, the home court of the Georgetown Hoyas, has a special handicapped seating area on the concourse level. If you are planning to go to a game at the Verizon Center and would like to take advantage of either the handicapped seating area contact the Office of Sports Promotions.

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The Metro System

Washington's Metro System, one of the most efficient public transportation systems in the world, is an excellent way for people with disabilities to get around DC. A pamphlet about how to get around the metropolitan area can be obtained by calling the Washington Metro Information at 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780). Metro provides many services and facilities to make use of the system easier for people with disabilities.

Elevators are available to access the platforms; an elevator status hotline (202-962-1825, TTY 202-638-3780) is available if you want to double-check that the elevator at the station is working. If an elevator is out of service, Metro will arrange for a lift-equipped Metro bus to transport you to the next station. On the platform, flashing lights alert hearing-impaired riders that a train is entering the station. TTYs are in place at all public telephone booths on the station mezzanine level. Parking spaces located near the station entrance have been reserved for use by people with handicapped-designated license plates.

Two types of buses are available on the Metro bus system: kneeling buses, which actually kneel to make the first step easier, and lift-equipped buses, which have a platform that lowers to lift wheelchairs onto the bus. Some regularly scheduled bus routes have lift-equipped service; if, however, it is not available on the route you wish to take, service can be arranged by making an advanced reservation through the Metro bus On-Call Service (202-962-1825; TTY 202-638-3780). Regularly scheduled routes can be determined by consulting a timetable or by calling 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780).

Reduced Metro bus fares are available for persons with disabilities. Applicants can call 202-962-1245 (TTY 202-628-8973) for information and to obtain applications by mail. All of this information, as well as instructions on how to use the special Metro buses and other useful information, is contained in the pamphlet provided by Metro entitled “A Guide to the Metro System for Senior Citizens & People with Disabilities.” The pamphlet can be obtained by calling Metro Information at 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780).

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The Smithsonian Institution and the National Zoo

The museums of the Smithsonian Institution, located both on the Mall and around the city of Washington, and the National Zoo, located at the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue, can be reached either by Metro or by driving (handicapped parking spaces are available). All museum buildings are accessible by ramps and/or elevators. Numerous services for people with disabilities, including special tours for visitors with impaired vision and interpreters, are offered at each museum as well as at the National Zoo. Details on parking, museum accessibility, and other features are provided in the free Smithsonian booklet “A Guide for Disabled Visitors,” available at all museum information desks, or by calling or writing Smithsonian Information, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, 202-357-2700 (TTY 202-357-1729).

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