Washington, DC’s Accessibility Program Spotlights

Please be aware some programs take place bi-annually or quarterly with non-specified dates; please check venue websites for more details and contact information. You can also find more information about requesting accessibility accommodations.

Museums

National Gallery of Art

• Join us at the National Gallery of Art: Provides interactive, discussion-based experiences for people with memory loss and their care partners.
  When: First Tuesday of each month from 1- 2:30 p.m. EST
  Register: Email access@nga.gov or call (202) 842-6905
   
• Verbal Description Tour: A vivid description of specific works on view in the East Building
  Where: East Building
  When: No specific dates; self-guided tour

International Spy Museum

• Access to SPY Series: Offers exclusive programs with enhanced accessibility for various audiences, including those with disabilities.
   
• Spy With Me: SPY with Me is an interactive virtual program for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.
  When: Fourth Tuesday of every month from 2-3 p.m.
  Register: Email Shana Oltmans at soltmans@spymuseum.org

O Museum in the Mansion

• ASL Secret Door Tour: A tour in ASL for the chance to explore the O Street Mansion and Museum, where visitors can explore this historic building and find secret doors while walking in the footsteps of presidents and freedom fighters, historians and fiction writers.
  When: Multiple dates available
  Register: Book tickets online for tours

Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM)

• Art Signs: Artful Conversations in ASL: A conversation about selected art pieces.
  Where: In-Person & Virtual
  When: In Person: Once a quarter |  Virtual: Twice a year
  Register: Online or with 4 weeks' notice for requested tours
   
• America InSight: Discover highlights from SAAM’s collection through rich verbal description and sensory experience.
  Where: In-Person & Virtual
  When: In-Person: Twice a year | Virtual: Once per quarter
  Register: Online or with four weeks’ notice for requested tours
   
• See Me at SAAM: A tour opportunity for individuals with mild to moderate dementia and their care partners to discuss and engage with collections during an in-gallery experience.
  Where: In-Person & Virtual
  When: Twice a year; view event calendar for dates
  Register: Email access@si.edu or call (202) 633-2921
   
• Eye-Popping Art: A tour of highlights from the museum’s collection using museum-provided, colorblind correcting glasses that bring the vibrancy of these works to life.
  Where: In-Person
  When: Once a quarter; view the event calendar for dates
  Register: Online through calendar of events or four weeks' notice for requested tours

The Phillips Collection

• Creative Aging: Programming for older adults at the museum includes mindful looking, informal discussion and expressive making as well as conversations and artmaking with Phillips educators. Attendees can explore works of art, share ideas, identify feelings and forge connections. This summer, the museum will also provide a series entitled Reframing Care including resources, support and artful engagement for care partners and their loved ones living with memory loss. Attendees will gather for food and conversation, sharing experiences and resources and connecting wellness with art. The program aims to reimagine our relationship to dementia in positive, hopeful and practical ways.
  Where: In-Person
  When: Multiple programs available throughout year; Reframing Care takes place on June 22 and July 7
  Register: Free; online registration required

U.S. Botanic Garden

• Color blind glasses: Available for rental in the Conservatory lobby. These glasses are engineered to give those with color blindness the ability to see more of the broad spectrums of bright colors on display all over the U.S. Botanic Garden. Indoor and outdoor lenses, as well as youth sizes, are available to optimize the experience for every kind of visitor.
  Where: In-Person
  When: Daily
  Register: Provide valid driver’s license or government-issued picture ID card
   
• Sensory bags & accessories: Available for rental in the Conservatory lobby. Items include noise-reducing headphones, weighted lap blankets and a selection of fidgets to help ease sensory stimulation. These resources are also available for all public programs hosted by the U.S. Botanic Garden. A general sensory tip sheet also provides an overview of the different areas of the indoor Conservatory.
  Where: In-Person
  When: Daily
  Register: Provide valid driver’s license or government-issued picture ID card
   
• Morning at the Garden & Evening at the Garden (Sensory-Friendly): Quarterly early openings provide museum access to individuals with cognitive and sensory processing disabilities and their families. The events include early entrance for registered participants, pre-visit materials and a take-a-break space. These programs are coordinated in conjunction with current exhibits at the Botanic Garden.
  Where: In-Person
  When: Quarterly
  Register: Contact USBGaccessibility@aoc.gov for program details

Theaters

Ford's Theatre

Folger Theatre

• Open Captioned, ASL Interpreted, Audio-Described, Relaxed and Masked performances
  When: Multiple shows available for the 2023/2024 season
  Register: Book tickets online for shows

Ford’s Theatre

• Sensory-Friendly, ASL Interpreted and Audio-Described performances
  When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances
  Register: Book tickets online for shows

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

• Audio-Described, Open Captioned, Sensory-Friendly, Sign-Interpreted and Cued Speech Translated performances
  When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances
  Register: Book tickets online for shows (bookings and interpretations needed should be requested 2 weeks in advance)

Shakespeare Theatre Company 

• Audio-Described and Open Captioned performances
  When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances
  Register: Book tickets online for shows

Strathmore DC 

• Audio-Described, Captioned Performances, Sensory- Friendly and Sign-Interpreted Performances
  When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances.
  Register: Book tickets online for shows

National Theatre

• ASL Interpreted Performances 
  When: Multiple shows available
  Register: Book tickets online for shows

Woolly Mammoth Theatre

• Audio-Described Performances, Open Captioned Performances, Sign-Interpreted Performance and Mask requires productions. 
  When: 2-3 accessible shows available performance, dates based on performances
  Register: Book tickets online for shows

Restaurants/Bars

Mozzeria

• Deaf-owned and operated pizza restaurant

As You Are

• Offers performances and events catered to the LGBTQ+ community
  When: Multiple dates available based on the event
  Register: Walk-ins available

Bitty & Beau’s

• A coffee shop that employs individuals with disabilities

Busboys and Poets 

• ASL Open Mic Night
  When: Last Friday of the month 
  Register: Eventbrite or in-person at the bookstore (cash only)

Red Bear Brewing Co.

• ASL Trivia 
  When: Third Thursday of the month
  Register: Walk-ins only