With record crowds expected and unprecedented security in place for today’s inauguration of Barack Obama, the disability community has been raising concerns that lack of access may unnecessarily bar people with impairments from the festivities. (Earlier posts here and here.)

It’s now being reported that at least one of the dignitaries will need special accommodations. According to the Washington Post, Vice President Dick Cheney will be attending the ceremony in a wheelchair.

Cheney was moving into his new house in McLean from the Naval Observatory when he hurt his back moving boxes, according to White House Press Secretary Dana Perino. Cheney’s doctor has advised him to spend the next few days in a wheelchair.

Current inaugural arrangements for people with disabilities are described in The Hill:

“No exceptions will be made for vehicles on the Capitol carrying people with special disabilities.

Instead, the U.S. Capitol Police plans to use golf carts to shuttle people with disabilities from two drop-off points (South Capitol and E streets; North Capitol and E streets) to the various screening points.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 7:58 am and is filed under accessibility, celebrities, inauguration, wheelchair. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.