Speaker’s Rostrum

Accessibility Systems

Location: Washington, D.C.

Date of Completion: January 2010

Submitted by: Gary West

Project Description

On January 27, 2010, President Barack Obama became the first president to deliver the State of the Union address on a wheelchair-accessible Speaker’s Rostrum in the U.S. House of Representatives. Then, on July 26, 2010, Congressman Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, who is quadriplegic, presided over the U.S. House of Representatives. This was the first time in the 230-year history of the Congress that a wheelchair-bound member had ever mounted the rostrum to take a turn as acting speaker. The Speaker’s rostrum on the house floor had just been made wheelchair-accessible through a ­series of two lifts. This event was timed to commemorate the 20th ­anniversary of the enactment of a landmark federal law meant to reduce obstacles for disabled people. 

The lifts were designed to take the place of two platforms, which are two of the six steps leading up to the rostrum. The stipulation from the architect, elevator consultant and the outside architectural firm working on the project was that the lifts had to be as unobtrusive as possible (i.e., virtually indistinguishable from the existing structure).

Elevator Specifications

Each covers three levels, with an extending platform to span steps and automatic curbs to allow or restrict wheelchair movement at each level. All operations are constant pressure, and a network of switches, hydraulic cylinders and electromechanical­ ­actuators control every operation.

Credits 

Elevator Designer and 
Manufacturer: Gillespie Corp.
Architect: Karn Charuhas Chapman & Twohey 
Consultant: Van Deusen & Associates
Hall Station: C.J. Anderson & Co.
Hydraulic Representative: The Hope Group
Hydraulic Equipment Supplier: Parker Hydraulics – Oildyne Division