☆☆☆☆☆
Capitol Building
Capitol Hill
Washington D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-226-8000
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/accessibility.cfm

day-of-the-inauguration-039.jpgTuesday, January 20, 2009 was the most exciting and BEST DAY of my life. I was very proud, honored and fortunate to personally witness Barack Obama taking the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States of America. Thank you  Congressman Barney Frank’s Taunton Office and the 2009 Inauguration  tickets. I will be forever grateful !!

day-of-the-inauguration-036.jpgBefore leaving Massachusetts on my journey to Washington DC, my mom read the article:  Organizers concerned disabled may have to stay home by By Leah Fabel / January 2, 2009 / Baltimore Examiner . My mom immediately contacted members of the Presidential Inauguration Committee in charge of Accessibility at the Swearing-In Ceremony - 2009 Presidential Inauguration. My mom was reassured that the entire site would be wheelchair accessible with plenty of staff to help the disabled. We were told to arrive as early as possible; preferably before 9:00am.

My mom was still worried about the accessibility issues but I told her not to worry for I would be fine and I wouldn’t miss this wonderful opportunity. Plus my mom and dad already paid for my friends and my hotel room and Acela Express train tickets so nothing was going to stop me from going to DC :)

kenny-onday-of-the-inauguration-003.jpgThe morning finally was here! I was so very excited! My friends helped me shower and dress; first with long johns; layers of warm clothes; warm winter coat; hat; mittens and body warmers for we knew it would be quite cold. I later looked at the picture they took and thought I looked quite ridiculous; kind of like a ninja; but at least I would remain warm for nothing was going to prevent me from witnessing this historical moment.

day-of-the-inauguration-metro-crowd-067.jpgIt was a sunny but frigid day so I was very happy to be dressed in warm clothes. When we finally arrived on the  METRO - Washington DC and on Day of 2009 Inauguration we saw a very crowded Washington DC. The crowd was estimated to be 1.8 million people!

inauguration-day-kate-089.jpgKate, Tony Ric and I finally made our way through the crowd to the Silver Gate, which is the gate that Ric and I were told we needed to enter with our two tickets. Kate and Tony left us at this point for they didn’t have tickets; they were going to watch the Inauguration on the big TV in the mall and were to meet us at this gate as soon as the Inauguration was over.

day-of-the-inauguration-025.jpgThe line was very long with a huge crowd of people waiting in line with us. We waited in line for hours; the line at first moved slowly but with a rhythm and there was no problem; but as we approached the entrance closer; there was a big rush of people trying to force their way in.

day-of-the-inauguration-051.jpgWe were shoved and pushed by some people while others were very polite and helpful. At one point, I in my wheelchair was pushed apart from Ric, but he quickly made his way back to me with some help from some nice people. Ric was worried for my safety; I remained strong and brave!

Ric and I and many others wondered why there wasn’t a separate handicapped entrance for disabled; persons in wheelchairs; visually impaired; hard of hearing; and the elderly. I saw one blind woman with a cane having a very difficult time. I, myself am legally blind and felt so sorry that no one was helping this woman.

inaugurationday953.jpgMany nice people could see we were having a hard time getting though the crowd and we saw other’s in wheelchairs who were having a difficult time getting though the crowds. We did see one police officer at one point; he was helping another person in a wheelchair; he apologized; told us that he was unable to help us as he had his hands already full; but he would try to get back to us. He never returned.

sniper-at-ianuguraton.jpgWe didn’t see any other security or police officers after this point. There was no organization or control at all. We did notice SNIPERS with guns; on top of all the buildings. We took a picture to show everyone that we were safe from any terror attacks or rioting. We were told the snipers were there for security of the President There was NOT enough security for us!! We saw some fences pushed over by a crowd of people; people shoving their way inside the gates.

Once we finally got to the entrance we saw many persons without tickets getting inside. One group in front of us had only one ticket but five entered without tickets. Wow, we thought Tony and Kate could have stayed with us and gotten in too.

day-of-the-inauguration-017.jpgWE FINALLY MADE IT INSIDE SAFELY!!!! Once inside we didn’t see anyone to direct us to our sitting area. It was not at all an organized event which really surprised us for they had many months to plan.

day-of-the-inauguration-061.jpgWe met many wonderful people who were very friendly. Everyone we met inside was in a wonderful, jubilant mood. We brought some snacks inside with us but no drinks; Ric told me that there didn’t seem to be a place to buy drinks. Some very nice folks heard him telling me this and offered us water and soda. A nice person took a picture of Ric and me…with smiles on our faces :)

reginaday-of-the-inauguration-047.jpgWe met one very nice woman whose name is Regina. The batteries in her camera ran out so we took a picture of her and are going to email it to her. She works for USAID. ( http://www.usaid.gov/). It was a pleasure meeting you, Regina.

day-of-the-inauguration-014.jpgWe were supposed to meet up with Marcus Rose, Legislative Assistant for Congressman Barney Frank and were looking forward to meeting him for he is very nice. We spoke and text via cell phones; he was also having a very difficult time getting inside. Marcus text us to let us know what he looked like and where to find him; but the crowd was too big to see where he was. One day, I would really like to meet him for he is a wonderful and kind person.

day-of-the-inauguration-019.jpgWe could see the White House and we did have a good view of the stage where Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama took the oath of office and were sworn in. President Barack Obama gave a great speech and the crowd all cheered. It was magical moment for me and Ric to witness this wonderful day in history.

pres-bush-kate-023.jpgAbove, we could see the helicopter that was flying President and Mrs. Bush back home to Texas.

The grounds were fully wheelchair accessible and had a wheelchair accessible Port-A-Potty, YET, the main problem regarding accessibility for the disabled, was lack of security, lack of guidance and lack of help.

IT WAS STILL THE MOST EXCITING DAY OF MY LIFE!!

day-of-the-inauguration-060.jpgKenny & co  give the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services ZERO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to have earned Five Stars they would have needed to: have a separate handicap entrance at all the gates; provide more staff to help the disabled persons in wheelchairs, the blind, the deaf and the elderly; provided more security officers at the entrances of the gates; created some kind of roped off organized admission lines; only allow persons with tickets to enter the gates and provide more staff to direct all persons to their assigned ticketed section.

kennyandcopicin-gazzette.jpgKenny & co give President Barack Obama FIVE STARS for his commitment to bringing about needed positive changes that our country needs and for wanting to ‘build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination’. I truly believe he will work hard “To help make the world more sensitive, respectful, safer and accessible to all.”