Inaugural organizers and transportation officials say people with disabilities and the elderly should expect long delays in getting to the National Mall, parade route and swearing-in ceremony.
Some people with disabilities already are feeling discouraged by warnings of record crowds of 1 million or more and unprecedented security that will wall off much of downtown Washington, severely limiting parking and other transportation options normally available to them.
Still, organizers say this inauguration will be accessible to the disabled.
"At every event that the (Obama) campaign did during the election, we wanted to be sure to be welcoming to Americans with disabilities, so this is certainly not something new for us," said Kevin Griffis, a spokesman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. "I think just the scale is perhaps larger."
But along with the invitations have come words of caution. Inaugural planners have stressed how difficult it will be for everyone -- not just disabled people -- to get into Washington and maneuver around the city. There will be long waits on the roads, trains and buses, followed by hours of waiting in the cold.
Organizers are advising disabled individuals to plan ahead and have a backup plan. Here's a highlight of what to expect on Jan. 20:
- No cars with disability tags or license plates will be allowed to park around the Capitol on Inauguration Day.
- People with disabilities attending the swearing-in ceremony may be dropped off at South Capitol and E Street and North Capitol and E Street, where golf carts will be available to transport them to security check points.
- Canes, including those with a fold-down seat, walkers and scooters are allowed at the swearing-in ceremony.
- There will be raised platforms for wheelchair users in the seating areas at the Capitol, but space is limited. Similar platforms will be on the National Mall, too.
- Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant bleachers will be available along the parade route for people with disabilities who have parade tickets and those who don't.
- Sign language interpreters will be in different sections at the swearing-in and along the parade route. Open captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available on large TV screens on the Mall and parade route.
- Audio description services will be available for the blind and those with limited vision at the swearing-in ceremony and the parade.
- Thirteen entry points for the parade will open at 7 a.m. Jan. 20. All will accommodate people with disabilities.
- MetroAccess, Metro transit system's subscription service for people with disabilities, will operate its regular schedule on Jan. 20, but there will not be service to inauguration venues. Door-to-door service will be limited. Customers should expect major delays and to maneuver long distances on their own.
- Access to elevators in Metro's train stations will probably be limited because of crowds. Escalators won't be operating in certain stations.
- Wheelchair-accessible port-a-potties will be available along the parade route, National Mall and Capitol grounds.
