Our nation's capital is one of the most popular tourist sites in the United States. Washington, D.C. has made significant changes in accessibility and holds its own in a comparison with just about any other major metropolis.

The Washington Metro Transit Authority, which runs the city's public transportation, has made great strides in providing access to everyone. Between the numerous accessible buses, wheelchair-converted taxis and the subway system, there isn't anywhere you should find off limits.

For example, throughout the Metrorail system, there are elevators, Braille signs, textured flooring to mark the edge of the station platform, voice enunciators in the elevators and door chimes and audio messages to signal the opening and closing of the rail car doors.

One of the most popular stops on anyone's tour of the capital is the White House. Once inside, you may be surprised by how small many of the rooms actually are. Wheelchair users will find a few tight turns going through the House, but the tour is completely accessible. A necessary elevator ride upstairs even allows for a glimpse of areas unseen by able-bodied tourists.

Free tickets are required and can be obtained at the White House Visitor Center (202-456-7041 / TDD 202-456-2121) on the corner of 15th and E Streets.

Congressional Guided Tours of the White House must be arranged ten weeks in advance with your Congressman. Group or individual tours for those with hearing or visual impairments are available in conjunction with the Congressional Guided Tours. An interpreter is available for those with hearing disabilities, and visitors with visual impairments may touch selected objects under Secret Service supervision.

Another must-see in Washington, D.C. is the Capitol. At the Capitol, there is a Special Services office on the ground floor, located in the Crypt, which offers accessible tours using ramps, elevators, sign language, FM systems, tactile and descriptive accommodations.

There are numerous memorials throughout Washington, D.C. The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin, Vietnam Memorial, Washington Monument and FDR Memorial are all located along the National Mall. Each has wheelchair access, and sign language tours are available through the Park Service 202-485-9880.

Washington is also famous for its museums. Perhaps the best known are the Smithsonian museums. The Smithsonian's exhibits are, for the most part, accessible to wheelchair users and those with visual and hearing impairments. Signing tours are available at all of the Smithsonian's museums with two weeks advance notice 202-786-2942/TTY, 202-786-2414, and Braille guides and audio tours are provided at most of the museums.

[The above article was excerpted with permission from "Washington, D.C.: Access with a Capital A" at www.gimponthego.com.]