Local Accessibility Information in Louisville

Airport

Accessibility Resources for the the Louisville International Airport (SDF).

The terminal is handicap accessible. For people using wheelchairs, there are specially designed ramps, curbs, doors and elevators located at key locations. Elevators featuring Braille floor designations and raised control buttons assist the visually impaired. Also, service animals (see terminal map for service-animal relief areas) are permitted in the terminal buildings and on aircraft. Airline ticketing and baggage claim are also accessible. Airlines offer special escort/transport services, upon request, with wheelchair assistance provided from the curb to the security checkpoint, where two eight-passenger chauffeured electric carts and a 310-foot moving sidewalk transport passengers to and from the gates.

There are hearing-aid compatible and volume-control phones in the terminal along with a Tele Typewriter (TTY) phone located at the entrance of Concourse B. A Public Access Videophone (PAV phone) also is available in the lower level near baggage claim. The PAV phone offers Video Relay Service (VRS), video point-to-point, TTY or a traditional phone call option. All phones are wheelchair accessible. Several phones are equipped with data ports.

Handicap parking is available in the Under-4-Hour and Over-4-Hour parking garage. Handicap parking is offered at the least expensive parking rates—regardless of location. However, a handicap hang tag or license plate must be displayed on your vehicle to qualify for the least expensive rate. Map of parking areas.

Sandollar Limo has four large accessible vans for hire and can do airport runs.

Hotels

Map of convention center and hotels

• Marriott Louisville Downtown is immediately adjacent to the convention center. The registration area has two lower counter areas for accessible registration; however the concierge desk is a high counter. The room layout of the business center presents some flow challenges. Third floor fitness center is fully accessible with a self-operated lift into the pool! Accessible guest rooms vary in degree of accessibility – not all have low closet rods, a few have roll-in showers. Guests must specify their needs when reserving. Meeting spaces on second level have accessible restrooms; restrooms on ballroom level are smaller but adequate.
• Fairfield Inn & Springhill Suites Adjacent properties that connect on 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th floors, these sister hotels offer complimentary breakfast offered daily in large, open breakfast areas. Springhill Suites offers free microwave and refrigerator in rooms. The pool and fitness area are accessible; lift into pool is scheduled for installation in January. Rooms with roll-in showers do not have benches but shower seats are available.
• Hampton Inn Four rooms have roll-in showers; shower bench available. The pool has a lift.
• Galt House Most of the GA block is in the Rivue Tower. Eight rooms have roll-in showers. Most rooms have tubs with bars; bath bench available.

Kentucky International Convention Center

The Kentucky International Convention Center is ADA compliant, but attendees with accessibilities issues should access the building from street level rather than using the pedways (see more about Pedways below).

The center spans two city blocks and encompasses two structures: and “old” building and a “new” building. It has been described as both sprawling and labyrinth, with sometimes challenging conditions in maneuvering between the old and new. The two buildings are joined by a long corridor with fire doors at both ends. The plenary and exhibit halls will be on the second level of the new building.

Service elevators in the old building will be staffed by the convention center for use by scooter and wheelchair users.

Several restroom doors in the new building are “airport style”, and most of the restroom doors in the old building are air doors, easily pushed open, and have an entrance and an exit door for better flow. The accessible stall locations vary – some have it last, farthest from the door and others are right in front. Gender neutral bathroom(s) will be designated by GA planners.

Meeting rooms are identified by signs with raised numbers or braille.

There is a lot of natural light on the upper levels, but the ground level (registration, accessibility, delegate credentialing) is quite dark.

There are a few quiet spaces throughout the convention center.

There are two first aid stations – one is on the main corridor of first level of the old building and one “behind the house” by the loading docks on second level. There will be an EMT on duty at all times.

Cell phone reception is adequate throughout the convention center.

Availability still to be determined:

• wireless internet service (wi-fi)
• a respite area within the convention center
• a recharging area for battery powered equipment

Pedway

The Louie Link system of pedways is not Accessible. (The Louie Link connects the Galt House, Louisville Marriott, the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), and 4th Street Live! via an above ground enclosed pedway system).

The pedway has one steep ramp and several doors that don't remain open, and in some cases actually empty out into garages. Each building is responsible for maintaining their section of the pedway; it's not city-owned. Members of the pre-site inspection team walked part of it and determined that the ground level was much more comfortable traveling.

Pharmacy

The pharmacy nearest the convention center is CVS, 432 South 4th Street (map).

Public Transportation

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) provides public transportation in the Greater Louisville area with bus routes in Jefferson, Bullitt and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. All TARC buses accommodate wheelchairs and are equipped with bike racks.

All TARC routes are wheelchair accessible. The front of every TARC bus has priority seating for seniors and citizens with disabilities. All TARC routes feature buses with either lift mechanisms or ramps to assist customers in wheelchairs or with other mobility impairments.

Kneeling buses are available to make boarding easy for mobility-impaired passengers, including elderly persons and passengers using crutches or canes. Kneeling buses are identified with a decal near the front door.

Public Witness

The public witness event is scheduled to use the Belvedere outdoor facility adjacent to the Galt House Hotel. It is an open park with ample cement paths, grassy areas, some benches and low cement walls for seating, very little shade. Terrain is sloped but not steep. Restrooms are located in the park, as well as at the Galt House, accessible through the pool area.

Streets and Sidewalks

Sidewalks are average width (approximately 4' across) and in good condition. Louisville streets and sidewalks did not appear crowded during the survey. Parts of the downtown area (just beyond the convention center, but near many restaurants) are closed to traffic. Curb cuts are centered to the round of the intersection. Traffic lights are on a cycle (no push buttons for the crossing signal). The walk signals do not chirp. 

Weather

The normal high temperature in Louisville is 83°F. Louisville usually receives an average of 3.8 inches of rain during the month. The Accessibilities Services table in the convention center will have a limited supply of plastic caps and ponchos available for sale in case of rain.