The historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the new President of the United States is Tuesday, January 20. The day rings in a new administration, a new era in politics and a fresh outlook for the American people.
Most of us will see this event unfold on television; some will keep up-to-the-second on
Facebook or
Twitter. Of course thousands of people coming in to Washington, D.C. have tickets, assuring some sort of seat away from the hoi polloi. For the masses of unconnected non-celebrities coming to town, the Mall is open to anyone, free. But expect a red alert in the area of inconvenience: it will be cold, crowded and lacking in creature comforts.
Be prepared. If you have a ticket, see this:
for ticket holders.
The District has a good
website set up on navigating the events of the day.
The Washington Post has run a series of articles on getting to and from the inauguration. See
Inauguration central.
If you are old or have a disability, expect to camp out for a long day. In other words, be a scout and know your limitations. The D.C. Office on Aging has a handout (below) you must read if you want to take your chances seeing the inauguration. Bring your own food, medications, water and toilet paper. And don’t forget the camera.
Mad
Plan for Persons with Disabilities:The 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. They are advising everyone 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, the 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 or limited or cancelled service to downtown areas. 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.
