We are committed to making every effort to provide accommodations or assistive equipment that will enhance your GA experience. Accessibility Services available before and during GA
Assistive rental equipment (mobility scooters, wheelchairs, etc.) is available for in-person registrants. Reserve by May 15.
For support or services other than equipment reservations, please email gaaccessiblity@uua.org
Baltimore Convention Center (BCC)
Most GA events will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. For additional information, please contact the BCC ADA Coordinator at (410) 649-7000 or accessibility@bccenter.org.
Accessible Parking
Parking for persons with disabilities is available in surrounding garages at the Baltimore Convention Center. This is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Restrooms
All restroom facilities at the BCC are equipped for standard wheelchair accessibility. The Center also provides family restrooms, which are located throughout the building. Gender neutral restrooms will be designated.
Elevators
Elevators are located near escalators on each level, and are equipped with Braille indicators, chimes, and raised lettering, providing mobility for visually impaired as well as mobility impaired guests. In addition, meeting room signs have additional Braille text. Additional elevators will be employed to accommodate the number of ECVs in use during GA.
Service Animals
Service Animals are permitted at the Baltimore Convention Center. The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or miniature horse trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. This includes psychiatric service animals that are individually trained to provide service to individuals with psychiatric or neurological disabilities, such as preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. It does not include emotional support or comfort animals. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times. A guest whose service animal poses a threat to the safety of other guests and employees may be asked to escort the animal off the premises. There is a designated relief area (grass) in front of the Hilton.
Wheelchair Availability
The BCC has complimentary non-motorized wheelchairs available for guests to use while on site. Wheelchairs may be available upon request, but are not guaranteed. Wheelchairs are not permitted to leave the property.
Convention Center Map
The BCC features large print and braille signage for wayfinding. There are detectable elements under protruding objects.
Building Access
All entrances to the Baltimore Convention Center are accessible. Various elevators operate between lobbies, exhibit halls, meeting rooms and ballroom foyer to provide patrons ease of access to each level of the building on the East and West sides.
- Sidewalk curb cuts provide access for wheelchair users to main lobby areas.
- Exterior automatic sliding doors are located at each public lobby entrance: Pratt Street, Sharp Street, Charles Street, and the Mezzanine Level, Main Terrace
- Wheelchair ramps are located in the Charles Street Lobby.
- Thresholds are level with floor at entrance doors.
Disability Evacuation Plan
The Baltimore Convention Center is equipped with an emergency alert system which has both flashing strobes and voice alarms.
Nursing Parents
There is a dedicated space for parents of newborns/infants to be used as a private space for nursing. The nursing/pumping room is located next to the restrooms, across from room 341.
Housing
If an accessible room is needed, use the General Assembly Housing Reservation System. Select ADA Attendee from the drop-down list of guest type and the reservation system will filter for hotels with ADA rooms available. Room details are provided.
The Baltimore Hilton Inner Harbor is connected to the BCC on Level 300, via skywalk.
Transportation
Sidewalks
The condition of sidewalks varies between neighborhoods. The smoothest and most well cared for sidewalks are located in the central business district, surrounding the Inner Harbor and around major tourist areas and attractions.
Curb cuts are present at nearly all intersections. Certain crosswalks in the low traffic areas with sidewalks in disrepair may not lead to an accessible curb, but this is a rare exception. While there is elevation in parts of the city, it should not prove to be prohibitive to users of manual wheelchairs and those who have difficulty walking.
Wheelchair Transport
Baltimore has a relatively small size fleet of wheelchair taxis which can accommodate both manual and powered wheelchairs. The accessible taxi vans have a lowered floor and are equipped for rear (lift gate) entry. Accessible taxis have ramps, offer roll-in/out ability and are outfitted with wheelchair securement straps and tie-downs. Wheelchair taxis can be ordered on demand, but wait times are extremely variable — from 15 minutes to an hour or more. Accessible cabs are directed to the airport with priority.
Yellow Cab: (410) 685-1212
Zulk Transportation: (443) 756-5678
Next Destination Transportation: (202) 277-9485
Accessible Transport LLC: (410) 852-8886
Public Transit Services
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is committed to providing a public transit system that everyone can use. We have made many improvements to make our system more accessible for people with disabilities and seniors. It is our hope that the information provided in this section will enable you to travel safely and comfortably within our service area.
The subway system features a single line with 14 stops. The subway and its train cars are wheelchair accessible. Elevators from the street entrance to train platform are available at all stations.
The light rail is wheelchair accessible on all trains and at all stops. The network features three lines which serve 33 stations. Riders access the light rail by climbing several steps. Wheelchair access to light rail trains is provided by a high platform, accessed via ramp, at each station. The first train car is equipped with a fold-out ramp which allows the wheelchair user to cross the gap and board or alight from the train. Wheelchair users should wait at the top of the elevated platform prior to the arrival of the desired train.
The MTA operates 80 city bus routes within and around the city of Baltimore. All city buses are wheelchair accessible with lowered floors and wheelchair ramps or lifts.
Baltimore bus, subway, and light rail accessibility information
MTA Transit Information Contact Center (410) 539-5000 or (866)743-3682
Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI)
BWI Marshall Airport, in partnership with Aira, provides a service connecting visually impaired passengers with specialized agents located remotely through a smartphone app.
There are TDD public phones throughout the airport for individuals with hearing impairments. TDD phones are also available at information counters located on the upper level of Concourse A/B, Southwest Airlines baggage claim area 1-5, lower level of Concourse E, and MAA Pathfinders office.
TSA Cares (855) 787-2227 is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.
Unisex restroom and adult changing tables are available throughout the airport.
The airport has four service animal and pet relief areas, two located before security (outside gate 19 and in front of the hourly garage) and two located after security (at the beginning of Concourse C and in the D/E connector).
Additional airport accessibility information
Additional Resources
Additional information on accessibility in and around Baltimore: WheelchairTravel.org
To reserve mobility equipment, please submit an Accessibilities Services Request Form so that available assistance and equipment can be coordinated.