A frustrating odyssey: Navigating Metro in a wheelchair

On April 4, I tried to get from Union Station to the Smithsonian Metro station to see the cherry blossoms. This would take the greenest tourist about 15 to 20 minutes, thanks to the great signs that explain how Metro works. But these signs don’t exist for those with disabilities, and so my easy jaunt turned into a horrific odyssey of tears and frustration.

First, I tried for 20 minutes to find an accessible elevator at Union Station. I was directed to a long hall and four stairs. I got my wheelchair down the steps, only to find that the entrance there was not accessible. So I had to scoot back up the stairs on my butt (a friendly stranger helped bring the chair up). When I finally got to Metro Center, I could not find the elevator, because the signs were wrong.

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At the Smithsonian Station, the only elevator I could find was blocked — no explanation, no phone number, nothing. I pressed a call button, but no one came down. Finally, as I was crying in frustration, a nice couple located a guard, who explained that there had been a fire. He got my wheelchair and me up the escalator.

All Metro needs to do is put signs in every station with a map to show those with disabilities where the elevators are. If Metro workers must put up a barrier because of an emergency, they can just add a sign with a phone number and directions for getting out of the station.

I would be very grateful if just one Metro executive went through the system in a wheelchair. Just once. That is all it would take.

Deena Larsen, Denver