Numerous destinations and companies provide regularly scheduled programming for those who need special accommodations during their visit.
Washington, DC is dedicated to ensuring all visitors can craft their only-in-DC memories. See below for additional information and be sure to check out our Accessibility page for more.
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
- 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 [email protected] 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
- 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 [email protected]
- 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 [email protected] 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
Theaters
- 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
- 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)
- Audio-Described and Open Captioned performances
When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances
Register: Book tickets online for shows
- Audio-Described, Captioned Performances, Sensory- Friendly and Sign-Interpreted Performances
When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances.
Register: Book tickets online for shows
- ASL Interpreted Performances
When: Multiple shows available
Register: Book tickets online for shows
- 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
- Deaf-owned and operated pizza restaurant
- Offers performances and events catered to the LGBTQ+ community
When: Multiple dates available based on the event
Register: Walk-ins available
- A coffee shop that employs individuals with disabilities
- ASL Open Mic Night
When: Last Friday of the month
Register: Eventbrite or in-person at the bookstore (cash only)
- ASL Trivia
When: Third Thursday of the month
Register: Walk-ins only
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