The Urban Institute strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all people, including people with disabilities, to engage fully. The following describes the accessibility of Urban’s office and the accommodations available during events in our space. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have additional questions.

General Accessibility

Curbside drop-off is located on the plaza level of 500 L’Enfant Plaza. The plaza-level entrance has automatic doors and an elevator that can take you to the promenade level, where Urban’s reception desk and event space are located. Inside Urban, conveniently located elevators serve all meeting rooms and public areas. Drinking fountains and restrooms throughout the building are wheelchair accessible. 

Getting to Urban

Metro. Urban’s office is connected to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station, which serves the Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines. You can find complete Metro directions here. 

Parking. Urban’s office has a parking garage for guests. You can find detailed parking directions here.

Urban’s Accessibility Services

Audio. Urban’s Anacostia Auditorium is equipped with an assistive listening system from Listen Technologies. With advance notice, an ASL interpreter can be hired for events. 

Visual. The entrances to all Urban offices, restrooms, and meeting rooms have Braille signage. The elevator also has Braille buttons and announces the floors.

Mobility. Dedicated accessible seating is located throughout Urban’s Anacostia Auditorium, Brookland Conference Room, and other conference rooms. With advance notice, a ramp can be provided for speakers to access the stage.

Restrooms and Wellness Room. Guests can access wheelchair-accessible restrooms on all Urban floors. Gender inclusive restrooms are located on the second and fifth floors. Additionally, two single-stall restrooms are available on the penthouse level for guests preferring a private restroom. A wellness room for nursing mothers is located on the fifth floor.

Transcription. All archived webcasts on YouTube have a transcript and closed captioning.