The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is working with the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services to ensure that the 2009 Inaugural ceremonies are as accessible as possible.

Staff can be reached Monday–Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm at 202-224-4048 (voice) and 202-224-4049 (TTY).

All entrances to the ceremony are accessible. Signs will be posted in all areas to indicate:

• Designated accessible areas
• Sign language interpreter locations
• Restrooms.

Recorded Information

Recorded Voice Information: 202-228-4072. 

“Drop-off” Locations

There will be no vehicular access or parking in the areas around the Capitol on January 20, 2009. This includes vehicles with special disability license plates or tags.

There are 2 drop-off points for people with disabilities:

• at South Capitol and E Street and
• North Capitol and E Street.

However, people should be aware that traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult.

The U.S. Capitol Police will run accessible golf carts from those drop-off points to the various screening points through which people must pass to provide rides to people who need them.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is expected to be running at “crush capacity” and WMATA has informed us that while Metro Access will operate for its regular customers, they do not expect to be able to provide pick-ups for people after events.

Tickets

Each person must have a ticket, including personal assistants.

There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol Grounds, however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis. Individuals without valid tickets will not be admitted.

Tickets are color-coded to facilitate entrance to the ceremony. Entrance will be granted only at the gate indicated on your ticket. Expect heavy traffic, delays, and significant road closures.

Inside the Event

Staff of the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services will be stationed at all designated accessible seating/standing areas to provide assistance.  Designated seating and standing areas: 

• North Seating Area - Senate Side
• South Seating Area - House Side
• West Standing Area - Senate Side 
• West Standing Area - House Side

Movement will be difficult inside the security perimeter.  Please be prepared to stay within the perimeter and within your ticketed section for the duration of the festivities.
Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather).

Sign Language Interpreters,
Open Captioning 

Sign Language Interpreters will be located at designated positions within each ticketed section, with the exception of the Mall Standing Area. There will be jumbo-trons (large television screen) with open captioning positioned on the Capitol Plaza (blue, red, green, and yellow ticket holders) and within the Mall Standing Area. 

Video Description Services

There will be a reserved area for people with visual impairment who wish to take advantage of audio description services.  Audio description of non-speaking portions of the program will be offered through headphones.

Medical Conditions and Medications

Emergency Medical Teams are on-hand in the event of any medical emergencies.  Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events.

For additional information about permitted items for medical purposes (e.g. insulin), contact the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226.

Children

There are no childcare facilities provided to attendees.  Due to increased security and space constraints, strollers are not permitted on the Capitol grounds. Direct questions regarding the admittance of items required for child care to the U.S. Capitol Police at 202-512-1226.

The Swearing-in Ceremony is a outdoor event held on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.  Inauguration day is typically cold—normally 37° F at noon—and occasionally wet. 

Extra consideration should be taken when planning to bring infants, young children, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system.  A vast majority of attendees will be in standing room sections and should be prepared to be on their feet for several hours.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

• Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
• Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
• Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
• Mace and/or pepper spray
• Sticks or poles
• Pocket or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”
• Packages
• Backpacks
• Large bags
• Duffel bags
• Suitcases
• Thermoses
• Coolers
• Strollers
• Umbrellas
• Laser pointers
• Signs
• Posters
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners

Mobility Aids such as canes, including those with a fold-down seat, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters are allowed.