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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Welcome to the U.S. Capitol

Visitors with Disabilities

  • Wheelchairs may be requested from Capitol Visitor Center staff wearing red vests or at one of the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall.
     
  • Listening devices with audio description of the orientation film and exhibition are available at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall.

    An audio-descriptive tour of Exhibition Hall provides visitors who are blind or have low vision with a self-guided experience of the Capitol Visitor Center’s exhibits. The nearly three-hour descriptive narration is available on a handheld device which visitors may request at the North Information Desk in Emancipation Hall. Visitors may also download the audio-descriptive tour onto a personal device. There is no cost associated with using the handheld device or downloading the tour. As documents are changed in the display cases, the tour will be revised accordingly. Download the audio-descriptive tour in MP3, ZIP , or Text file formats.

  • Sign language interpretation for tours is available when booked in advance. Email Interpreters@saa.senate.gov. All films have open captioning.
     
  • Family Restrooms are available throughout the Capitol Visitor Center.
     
  • Service animals are allowed in the Visitor Center and the Capitol.
     
  • A public TTY is located near one of the gift shops on the Upper Level.
     
  • Copies of all Capitol Visitor Center brochures in alternative formats (large print, braille, HTML) are available at the Information Desks.
     
  • Emergency evacuation information for visitors with disabilities is available here.
     
  • Additional information on accessibility in the Capitol and the House and Senate Office Buildings is available at the Architect of the Capitol's Web site here.
     
  • Both the Senate and House have accessible Galleries which include televisions with closed-captioning. In addition, the Senate has informational materials available in alternative formats.
     
  • If you have any accessibility questions, please call the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services at 202-224-4048.

Visitors Requiring Shuttle Service to the Capitol Visitor Center Entrance

For your convenience, the Capitol Visitor Center Office of Visitor Services provides an on-demand shuttle service for those with mobility issues or in manual wheelchairs.  The shuttles run from the southwest corner of Capitol Square at Independence Ave. and First St. SW to the Capitol Visitor Center entrance at the center of the Capitol’s East Plaza.  Please inquire about this service from the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services at 202-224-4048, from any Visitor Services personnel in a red shirt or vest, or at either of the Visitor Services kiosks located at the southwest corner of Capitol Square or on the east side of the Capitol near the corner of First St. NE/SE and East Capitol Street.  Please provide as much advance notice as possible to help facilitate your request.

If you are traveling with a large group requesting mobility assistance, we strongly recommend that you contact the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services at 202-224-4048 prior to your visit.  Please provide as much advance notice as possible to help facilitate your request.