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Many areas of the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site are accessible to visitors with physical or mobility concerns. Information here is organized geographically; check out our park map to better understand the relation between these parts of the park. While the overall outdoor landscape and building interiors at the park provide a high degree of accessibility for individuals with disabilities, different disabilities require varying degrees of access. For example, what may be a navigable path for some individuals, may present a challenge for others. The assessment ratings will provide individuals with all types of disabilities with detailed and relevant information to help them fully enjoy the landscape, gardens, historic buildings, and museum during their visit. Access Ratings ExplainedThis page provides ratings for accessibility for outdoor areas and buildings within the historic core of the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. A graduated scale of access ratings—Good, Adequate and Limited—is utilized to inform individuals with disabilities about barrier assessment information when visiting the Park. The access ratings incorporate the following scale: GOOD—Outdoor pathways, grounds, building entrances, and interiors are largely accessible to persons with mobility, visual and Deaf and Hard of Hearing disabilities. ADEQUATE—Outdoor pathways, grounds, building entrances, and interiors are not accessible due to minor barriers. For example, pathway surface material may be in disrepair, or building interiors may lack adequate accommodations for persons who are Deaf. LIMITED—Outdoor pathways, grounds, building entrances, and interiors are inaccessible due to significant barriers. Henry A. Wallace Visitor CenterAccess Rating: GOOD ParkingThe Visitor Center parking lot has 14 accessible parking spaces with one 8-foot access aisle for vans. Six spaces have 4-foot access aisles and 8 spaces are adjacent to one another with no shared access aisle. Parking area includes two spaces for Veterans. Path of TravelParking spaces provide a short accessible route to both front and side entrances to the Visitor Center. The curb cut from the parking area to the side entrance to the Visitor Center is in disrepair with cracked surface material and a 1-inch rise at the base. Please note the 1-inch rise at the base of the curb cut may be challenging for visitors using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, as it does not provide a level landing surface. EntrancesThe front and side entrance doors to the Visitor Center are fully accessible, with electronic openers. Opener buttons are located on wooden poles in front of the entrance doors. Interior CorridorsInterior corridors are fully accessible with ample maneuverability for manual and power wheelchair users and grab bars situated on flanking sides of toilet area. Staff are available within the main reception area of the Visitor Center to assist and provide persons with disabilities with information regarding access to the outdoor gardens, grounds, buildings within the park. Rest RoomsSeven interior rest room stalls with one fully accessible ADA compliant stall. Water DispensersWater dispensers located outside of the rest room doors are fully accessible with lowered surface height and push button water release on 3 sides of fountains. Springwood (FDR's Home)Access Rating: GOOD ParkingThe Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center parking lot provides several ADA compliant parking spaces for visitors with disabilities. 14 accessible parking spaces with one 8 foot access aisle for vans; 6 spaces have 4 foot access aisles and 8 spaces are adjacent to one another with no shared access aisle. Parking area includes 2 spaces for Veterans. Path of TravelThe Main Estate Road leading from the Visitor Center parking area to Springwood Estate is comprised of flat concrete with minor cracks and gaps in the surface. It provides a moderately firm and stable path of travel to the ramp and pathway leading to the Home entrance veranda. EntrancesVeranda area is comprised of a slate surface, which is slightly uneven with minor cracks. Threshold ramp provides access to the Home entrance with wide double doors operated by staff. Home Interior First FloorPark Rangers will provide visual descriptions of the interior Home features upon request. It is recommended that advance notice be given to ensure adequate staffing is present. Entrance Hall is a large open space with protruding furniture pieces that may present potential obstacles for visitors who are blind or with visual disabilities. Service Wing is accessed via a 25” gated entrance from the Entrance Hall. Two alcoves with 34-inch doorways provide viewing ares to the service kitchen. South Wing to FDR study is located within the servants wing with 34-inch viewing doorway viewing area. Home Interior Second Floor39-inch wide French doors off entrance hall lead to outside porch area that provides a lift to transport visitors to the second floor if they are unable to use the stairs. Bedroom viewing area alcoves measure 32-inches. Upper floor hallways are accessible, but may be congested for visitors with disabilities. Staff will limit upper floor viewings for less congestion when possible to accommodate visitors with disabilities. Rest RoomsThere are no public restrooms located within the Home. Accessible restrooms are located in the Henry A. Wallace Center and the Roosevelt Coach House. The Coach restrooms are in close proximity to the Home and provide one fully accessible ADA compliant stall. Rose Garden and Burial SiteAccess Rating: ADEQUATE ParkingSeveral ADA accessible parking spaces are available within the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center parking lot. There are also two smaller parking lots along the Estate Road leading to the Garden gates, which offer accessible parking. Path of TravelThe Main Estate Road leading from the Visitor Center parking area to Garden gate entrances is comprised of flat concrete with minor cracks and gaps in the surface. It provides a firm and stable path of travel to both entrance gates into the Garden. EntranceThere are 2 gates to enter the garden: one is opposite the Freedom Court and the other is located to the right of the FDR Home. Both gates provide accessible entry, which exceed 36 inches in width. Interior PathwaysA circular pathway surrounds the Memorial and gardens and pathway widths range from 30 inches to 38 inches. The pathway surface is comprised of fine textured stone dust and hard packed soil, which provide a firm and flat accessible surface. The pathway provides an unobstructed path of travel for visitors with visual disabilities. Persons with visual disabilities should be aware that there are no tactile railings along the pathway to provide a guided path of travel along the circular route. Home GardenAccess Rating: ADEQUATE ParkingSeveral ADA accessible parking spaces are available within the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center parking lot. There is a direct path of travel to the Home Garden, which is directly adjacent to the lot and opposite the parking side entrance of the Visitor Center. Path of TravelThe path of travel from the visitor lot is a wide (exceeds 36 inches) flat and accessible concrete route leading to the entrance gates. Please note the path does not provide a tactile surface or side rails to guide visitors with visual disabilities to navigate route to garden entrances.
EntranceThere are 3 gates to enter the garden and all provide an accessible entrance with widths exceeding 72 inches. Interior PathwaysCircular pathways surround entire large garden space with widths exceeding 36 inches. Pathways inside entire large garden area provide an open and unobstructed path of travel for visitors with visual disabilities. Surface material provides a firm and stable path of travel throughout the garden. Please note there are no edge protectors or tactile guide rails along pathways to assist visitors with visual disabilities to navigate garden area. Home Garden – Small Space Gardening ExhibitAccess Rating: ADEQUATE ParkingThe path of travel from the parking lot is a wide (exceeds 36 inches), flat, and accessible concrete route leading to the entrance gates of the Home Garden. The Small Space Gardening Exhibit is contained within the Home Garden and located to the left rear of the larger garden area. Path of TravelThe path of travel from the visitor lot is a wide (exceeds 36 inches), flat, and accessible concrete route leading to the entrance gates of the Home Garden. The Small Space Gardening Exhibit is contained within the Home Garden and located to the left rear of the larger garden area. Please note the path does not provide a tactile surface or side rails to guide visitors with visual disabilities to navigate route to garden entrances. EntranceThe interior pathway within the Home Garden leads to the Small Space Gardening Exhibit. Visitors must navigate grass surface area to enter the Small Garden exhibit. There is no accessible signage directing visitors to the exhibits within the Small Garden. Please note individuals with visual disabilities may experience difficulty entering the exhibit areas, due to the lack of tactile braille signage. Interior PathwaysPathways surround the entire Small Space Gardening Exhibit with width measurements ranging from 18 inches to 36 inches. Pathways are comprised of wood chips, which create uneven, loose surface material throughout the garden area. This may create an unstable and challenging surface for visitors with visual disabilities. Please note individuals with visual disabilities may experience difficulty navigating the exhibit areas, due to the lack of tactile signage, side rails and tactile pathway surface area. Walled Garden at BellefieldAccess Rating: GOOD ParkingA small parking lot to the right of the Bellefield (National Park Service Administration Building) has one accessible parking spot. Path of TravelAn asphalt pathway leads from the small parking area to a smaller stone dust pathway to one of the inaccessible entrance gates to the immediate left of Bellefield. The curb cut leading to a small pathway may have overgrown vegetation and will not provide tactile grading, which may be slightly challenging to persons with visual disabilities. EntranceThere are three gates to enter the garden. Two have 2-inch stone steps to access the garden and would present at challenge to persons using a wheelchair. The southern gate, off the estate road leading to the FDR Presidential Library, provides level entry. Signage indicates gates should be closed once inside the garden and is not in braille. Interior PathwaysLarge aggregate gravel pathway with smaller side pathways surround and weave through garden vegetation. Pathway widths range from 36 inches to 27 inches with smaller side pathways measuring 19 inches. Vegetation protrudes onto pathways in sections, which may present a hazard for persons with visual disabilities. All pathways are edged in rough stone. Wallace Visitor Center Picnic PavilionAccess Rating: GOOD ParkingCovered Picnic Pavilion is visible directly opposite the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center parking area. There is no signage or designated path of travel from the Visitor Parking to Pavilion; however, the sidewalk/pathway along the front of the Visitor Center building can be used to access the Pavilion. Path of TravelPathway from the Visitor Center leads to a small unpaved lawn area adjacent to Pavilion. Pavilion is accessed via the lawn area—lawn surface is moderately flat with uneven rough spots that may create an unstable surface for walking. Low hanging tree branch along outer edge of grassy area may present hazard for persons with visual disabilities. EntrancePavilion is situated on level concrete flooring with a three-quarter to one-inch rise from adjacent lawn area to access floor area. Visitors should be aware that the elevated rise to the Pavilion flooring from the grass is partially obscured by overgrown vegetation in sections and may present minor challenge for persons with visual disabilities when accessing the Pavilion. InteriorPavilion offers 8 large picnic tables; two are accessible with extended ADA compliant tabletop length and knee clearance. |
Last updated: March 23, 2022