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ACCESSIBILITY AT THE OHIO STATEHOUSE

The historic Ohio Statehouse was designed and built prior to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). During the restoration of the 1990s, the Capitol Square complex was restored to allow for greater access by individuals living with disabilities.

The Ohio Statehouse is handicapped accessible and senior friendly. The Statehouse allows people with disabilities to explore the history of the "People's House" through a variety of Accessible Programs.

Accessible Entrance and Parking

There are designated barrier-free Ohio Statehouse entrances. Accessible entrances are located:
*East side of the Capitol Square complex at Third Street
*Underground Parking Garage South Sliders
*North and South entrances to the Atrium

There is approved accessible parking, for vehicles displaying the appropriate disability permits, located in the Ohio Statehouse Underground Parking Garage. Garage entrances are on Broad, Third and State Streets. Vehicles displaying the appropriate disability permits can access the parking facility even when it is "full."

There is also a drop-off area located on the east side of the Capitol Square complex on Third Street. This area allows for a driver to drop off a passenger directly in front of an accessible entrance to the Ohio Statehouse without paying the parking fees.

The Ohio Statehouse is also equipped with accessible doors, restrooms and drinking fountains. All of the public spaces are barrier-free.

Accessible Programs

Accessible programs help people with disabilities enjoy their visit to the Ohio Statehouse and learn about the history of the building and to participate in the legislative process. The majority of public programs and events are held in accessible and barrier free areas of the building so that everyone can participate. During tours that take visitors to non-accessible areas of the building, a video version of that tour will be available upon request.

Accessible Tours

Several tours are offered that take into consideration the characteristics of a wide variety of disabilities. These tours are led by specially trained guides and include:

Daily Guided Tours: Free guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Trained tour guides will lead tours through an accessible route of the Capitol Square complex.
Specially Tailored Tours: These tours are available by prearrangement for individuals or groups from the mental health community as well as others with special needs. 9 Themed tours are developed around the needs and interests of the participants and can focus on any aspect of the Ohio Statehouse, with appropriate touchable and visual materials to supplement descriptions and discussions.
Self Guided Tour Wands: Visitors may wander on their own anytime during Statehouse hours with an audio tour wand with pre-recorded information to follow at your own pace. Self guided tour brochures and audio tour wands are available in the Statehouse Museum Shop in the Map Room. While the use of tour wands is free, we ask that an I.D. be left with the Museum Shop clerk during your tour.
Podcast Video and Audio Tours: Video and Audio iPod Podcast tours will present the opportunity to learn more about the Ohio Statehouse and its artwork and artifacts. The free video and audio podcasts for use on your mp3 player can be downloaded on "iTunes" by searching "Capitol Ohio."
Sign Language Interpreted Tours: Tours of the Ohio Statehouse are available by prearrangement for individuals or groups who are deaf or hearing impaired. Printed scripts of audio tours may be available by request.

Ohio Statehouse Website

The Ohio Statehouse Web site, www.ohiostatehouse.org, has accessible features built into the web pages, allowing it to be more convenient and more available to everyone – including users with disabilities. The Ohio Statehouse Web site was designed with "assistive technology" in mind, allowing people with disabilities to more easily use the Web site.

Large Print

You may request large-print for any of our print materials, including the Self Guided Tour Brochure and event programs, by contacting the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board.

For information about large-print materials or visual description (on guided tours for visitors who are blind or visually impaired); sign language interpreters, or print scripts; or to arrange for Braille or large-print materials to be created, please contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. Please allow three weeks for arrangements to be completed.

For more information, please contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board by phone at 614/752-9777 or TTY, through the Ohio Relay Service at 800/750-0750, or by fax at 614/752-5209.