Guests with Disabilities
The Center is committed to accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
General Accessibility
The public sidewalks serving the Walter E. Washington Convention Center feature curb cuts for wheelchair access. Automatic doors are located at the Mt Vernon Place, L Street, and Metro entrances to the Center. Inside the center, meeting rooms, exhibit halls and common areas are all served by conveniently located elevators. Telephones, drinking fountains and restrooms throughout the building are wheelchair accessible.
Elevators
Passenger elevators located throughout the Center provide access to all common 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 your event manager if you have guests who will require the use of these systems. We also have list of local American Sign Language interpreters.
Parking
Nine metered public parking spaces designated for vehicles displaying disability parking placards/permits or license tags are located on 9th Street:
- Three spaces on the east side of 9th Street between Mt. Vernon Place and L Street
- Three spaces on the east side of 9th Street between L Street and M Street
- Three spaces on the east side of 9th Street between M Street and N Street
Three metered, public parking spaces designated for vehicles displaying disability parking placards/permits are located on 7th Street between Mt. Vernon Place and L Street.
Parking signs are posted indicating that the spaces are for two-hour parking
from 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. daily, available on a first come, first serve basis.
Restrooms
All Center restrooms are fully accessible to persons with disabilities and have stalls, sinks and mirrors that are wheelchair accessible.
Service Animals
Trained service animals are permitted in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with proper supervision.
Sight-Impaired Information
Tactile brail signage is at the entrances to all meeting rooms and restrooms, and inside and outside all passenger elevators.
Wheelchairs
As indicated in your license agreement, event planners are responsible for providing wheelchairs, motorized mobility scooters, Segways and other non-permanent access accommodations. For your convenience, your event manager has a list of local rental companies.
Wheelchair Lifts and Wheelchair Lecterns
We have portable wheelchair lifts and wheelchair lecterns to accommodate speakers who may require this assistance. Please inform your event manager in advance if you will require the use of this equipment. The weight limit for the wheel chair lifts is 750 lbs.