Physical / Mobility Accessibility

Need A Little Help?

Two wheelchairs are available at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center for visitors to borrow, free of charge. No advance reservations are necessary; just stop by the center and inquire at the desk.

 

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 Explained

This 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 Center

Access Rating: GOOD

Parking

The 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 Travel

Parking 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.

Entrances

The 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 Corridors

Interior 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 Rooms

Seven interior rest room stalls with one fully accessible ADA compliant stall. Please note handle hardware on ADA stall is not fully accessible for individuals with limited hand dexterity; it may be challenging for closed fist operation.

Water Dispensers

Water 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.

 

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Springwood (FDR's Home)

Access Rating: ADEQUATE

Parking

The 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 Travel

The 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.

Entrances

Veranda 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 Floor

Entrance Hall is a large open space with ample maneuverability for wheelchair users and individuals using mobility devices. Glass partition to view living room area is accessible with 37” railings and full open glass walls to provide accessible viewing for wheelchair users.

Service Wing is accessed via a 25” gated entrance from the Entrance Hall. Entrance gate may be inaccessible to wheelchair users. Two alcoves with 34” doorways provide viewing areas to the service kitchen.

South Wing to FDR study is located within the servants wing with 34” viewing doorway viewing area.

Home Interior Second Floor

39” French doors off entrance hall lead to outside porch area that provides a lift to transport visitors using wheelchairs and other assistive mobility devices to access the second floor bedroom area of the Home. Porch provides a stunning vista of the extensive landscape and well-tended grounds within the park. Bedroom viewing area alcoves measure 32” and may be inaccessible to visitors with oversized power wheelchairs. Upper floor hallways are accessible, but may be congested for visitors with wheelchairs and other assistive mobility devices during the busy summer season. Staff will limit upper floor viewings for less congestion when possible to accommodate visitors with disabilities.

Rest Rooms

There 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.

 

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Rose Garden and Burial Site

Access Rating: GOOD

Parking

Several 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 Travel

The 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.

Entrance

There 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 Pathways

A circular pathway surrounds the Memorial and gardens and pathway widths range from 30” to 38”. The pathway surface is comprised of fine textured stone dust and hard packed soil, which provide a firm and flat accessible surface for individuals using wheelchairs and mobility devices.

 

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Home Garden

Access Rating: GOOD

Parking

Several 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 Travel

The path of travel from the visitor lot is a wide (exceeds 36 inches) flat and accessible concrete route leading to the entrance gates.

Entrance

There are 3 gates to enter the garden and all provide an accessible entrance with widths exceeding 72 inches.

Interior Pathways

Circular pathways surround entire large garden space with widths exceeding 36 inches and provide accessible navigation for wheelchair users and individuals using mobility devices. Pathway surface material provides a firm and stable path of travel throughout the garden.

 

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Small Space Gardening Exhibit (Home Garden)

Access Rating: LIMITED

Parking

Several ADA accessible parking spaces are available within the Wallace A. 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. The Small Garden Exhibit is to the left rear of the Home Garden.

Path of Travel

The 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 Garden Exhibit is contained within the Home Garden and located to the left rear of the larger garden area.

Entrance

Asphalt route from larger Home Garden leads to Small Garden Exhibit. There is no accessible path of travel for wheelchair users and individuals using mobility devices to enter Exhibit, as visitors must navigate grass surface area to enter.

Interior Pathways

Pathways surround entire Small Garden Exhibit with width measurements ranging from 18 inches to 36 inches. Pathway material is comprised wood chips, which create an unstable and challenging surface for visitors using wheelchairs, canes and walkers. The exhibits within the Small Garden area may be inaccessible to visitors using wheelchairs and other assistive apparatus, due to the narrow pathways with uneven, loose surface material throughout the garden area.

 

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Walled Garden at Bellefield

Access Rating: ADEQUATE

Parking

A small parking lot to the right of the Bellefield (National Park Service Administration Building) has one accessible parking spot. A ramp directly opposite the accessible parking spot leads to a brick-paved deck that leads to the south of the building where visitors can view the entire expanse of the garden.

Path of Travel

An 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. We recommend wheelchair users park at Wallace Visitor Center parking lot, which is closer to the accessible gate off the estate road near the FDR Presidential Library.

Entrance

There 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. All three gates have cumbersome hardware latches, which may present a significant challenge for persons with limited hand dexterity and for those using wheelchairs. Signage indicates gates should be closed once inside garden, which presents a significant challenge for wheelchair users.

Interior Pathways

Large 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. Gravel is cumbersome to navigate for wheelchair users and individuals with walkers and canes. All pathways are edged in rough stone.

 

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Wallace Visitor Center Picnic Pavilion

Access Rating: ADEQUATE

Parking

Covered 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 Travel

Pathway 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 create an unstable surface for persons using wheelchairs and walkers.

Entrance

Pavilion is situated on level concrete flooring with a ¾ -1 inch rise from adjacent lawn area to access floor area. The elevated rise to the Pavilion flooring from the grass is partially obscured by overgrown vegetation in sections and may present a minor challenge for persons using wheelchairs or adaptive mobility devices.

Interior

Pavilion offers 8 large picnic tables; two are accessible with extended ADA compliant tabletop length and knee clearance. ADA compliant tables are spaced in opposite corners of Pavilion with limited maneuverability for persons using wheelchairs and adaptive equipment to be comfortably positioned at table. Spacing measures 34” from Pavilion interior corners to table top edges.