The Valentine First Freedom Center

There is one standard accessible street parking space available on South 13th street, about a tenth of a mile northwest of the First Freedom Center. It does not have an access aisle and is not marked as van accessible.

The street parking spot also has a significant slope to it.

There is also accessible parking available at the city parking garage located at 1410 E. Cary Street, but the clearance is only six feet, four inches high, which may not accommodate vans or larger vehicles.

If parking in the garage, there are several standard accessible spaces, and at least one “van accessible” space, although signage at the garage discourages vans and trucks from parking there.

All spaces are marked with accessible signage and pavement markings.

Some of the accessible spaces have wheel stops and some do not.

Pavement markings contrast slightly, with white paint and a concrete surface, but they appear to be fading.

Parking in the garage can be validated for visitors to the First Freedom Center.

The pathway from the street parking is mostly brick and asphalt, with a curb cut, that does not have truncated domes, for access to the sidewalk from the street.

The path is sloped to various degrees from the street parking to the entrance, with certain sections being fairly steep and no handrails provided.

If parking in the garage, there are stairs or an elevator that takes you to the street level.

The stairs have uniform tread depth and riser height, and handrails on both sides with appropriate handrail extensions. There is some minimal contrast at the edge of each step that appears to have worn away over time.

Identification signage for the stairs is minimal.

The elevator in the parking garage also has minimal identification signage, but does have audible beeps and visible indicators to inform you which direction the car is going and which floor the car is on or passing.

The elevator controls inside the car are at an accessible height and have tactile and braille characters to the left of each corresponding button.

To exit the garage, there is a door with a clear width of at least 32 inches.

Once out of the garage, the path is fairly steep headed towards the entrance, again with a mix of brick and concrete surfaces.

There are no seating areas along the way to the entrance from either parking space.

The main entrance and exit are clearly marked from the outside with white lettering on a red background, but there are no braille or tactile characters.

The main accessible entrance door is somewhat difficult to open force wise, and there is no automatic push button, but there are no steps or ramps needed to enter the building.

The main entrance door is somewhat difficult to open force wise, and there is no automatic push button, but there are no steps or ramps needed to enter the building.

The interior pathways are fairly wide with plenty of room to maneuver mobility devices, and the floor surface is a mostly compacted, industrial carpet, with some tile in the second floor hallway where there is more exhibit space and the restrooms (more on those in the “bathrooms” section).

There is a lift to access the second floor for those who cannot negotiate steps, or do not prefer steps, with enough room for one wheelchair.

There are water fountains, one of which is at an accessible height, near the restrooms.

Directional and informational signage throughout is limited, due in part to the small size of the location, and most of the informational and interpretive signage does not have braille, tactile, or digital alternatives.

There are several seating options available throughout with seating surfaces at accessible heights, with backrests and armrests.

The point of sale counter in the gift shop/visitor welcome area is at an accessible height, and staff provides assistance with credit cards for purchases.

There is some merchandise in the gift shop that may be difficult to reach for some, but staff is able to assist if needed.

The site is generally not too noisy.

There are a couple accessible multi-stall, gendered restrooms, and a single occupant restroom on the second floor that are part of an adjacent hotel, which can be accessed via a wheelchair lift or stairs.

Directional signage to these restrooms is limited from inside the First Freedom Center.

The doors for each restroom have adequate maneuvering clearance on both sides of the door.

The clear width of each door is at least 32 inches wide.

Force-wise, the doors are somewhat difficult to open and there are no automatic push buttons to assist.

The interior of each restroom/accessible stall is spacious, with enough room for a 60 inch turning diameter.

The wheelchair accessible stall doors do not have door pulls on either side of the door, but there are coat hooks on the back of each stall door at an accessible height above the floor.

There are 3 grab bars, two horizontal and one vertical, at good heights next to and behind each toilet.

The light switches in all restrooms have a sensor to control them.

The sinks, soap, and paper towel dispensers in each restroom are at accessible heights.

The reflective surface of the mirrors behind the sink are just barely above accessible height off of the floor.

Piping under each sink is fully insulated.

ASL interpreter accommodations can be made with two weeks advance notice for events and tours.

There are some electrical outlets throughout the property that are at an accessible height off of the floor.

Employees are going through, or have completed, disability etiquette training to differentiate and elevate their customer service.