Welcome to DASH

Welcome to DASH2023-12-22T00:10:37+00:00

Are you one of the 21% of Jefferson County residents with a disability?

– You have come to the right website to find the most accessible places and services.

Does your business or organization serve Jefferson County?

– You have come to the right website to find services to increase your accessibility.

Information you will find here:

  • Ongoing updates on DASH Projects
  • DASH Services for individuals, for businesses and organizations and for our community provided at no cost
  • Helpful Information on many subjects and downloadable versions of our publications:
  • Board member application 
  • Helpful Information on many subjects and downloadable versions of our publications:

DASH Accessible Restaurants Guide

DASH Accessible Entertainment & Cultural Venues Guide

DASH Accessible Downtown/Uptown Port Townsend Map  

New!  DASH Port Townsend Trails Accessiblity Guide

What’s New

In-home vaccination available now

Jefferson County Emergency Management is offering vaccinations in homes of people who are not able to access regular vaccination locations. People who need this service are encouraged to call 360-344-9791 to schedule a vaccination in their home.

December 13th, 2021|

DASH Consults with State on Roundabouts

In the Fall of 2021 DASH presented its recommendations to WSDOT for making the proposed roundabout at Sims and Kearney accessible. The major issue is how to make the roundabout safe for blind people and people with visual disabilities.  DASH worked with the Jefferson County Council of the Blind (JCCB) on this.

Part of our consultation with WSDOT involved setting up a simulation of crossing a roundabout while blind. WSDOT sent 6 traffic engineers and Larry Watkinson (WSDOT’s ADA Compliance Manager) to participate in this event. Steve King, City Public Works Director, and Laura Parsons, City Engineer, also took part.

The simulation helped to increase awareness of the specific issues to be addressed in the roundabout design to

accommodate people with visual difficulties.

The Port Townsend Leader covered the event

(https://www.ptleader.com/stories/traffic-engineers-cross-roundabout-

while-blindfolded,78010) and showed Port Townsend Public Works Director Steve King crossing while […]

December 13th, 2021|

Discovery Road Project

DASH consulted with the City throughout the Discovery Road Bikeway and Sidewalk Project to ensure the best outcome and full ADA compliance. The corridor from Rainier Street and Salish Coast Schools will provide safe pedestrian access and connect developing residential, business and school facilities.

December 13th, 2021|

Signage and Access at Chetzemoka Park

DASH consulted with the City to establish an accessible path between the picnic area and the restrooms and clear signage for finding the ADA restroom. Now the picnic area, entrances, restrooms and arbor are all accessible with firm and stable paths and clear, easy to see signage.

December 13th, 2021|

Handrail at the Haller Fountain Steps

The Jefferson Street improvements left the Haller Steps without a handrail that reached to the top 2 steps. For many with balance, visual or mobility issues, the steps were no longer an option for getting from uptown to downtown. DASH often uses photographs to illustrate a problem. Here you can see the problem of not having a long enough handrail.

DASH intervened and now the handrail is long enough and at the exact height needed to provide security when starting down the steps.

December 13th, 2021|

Are you one of the 21% of Jefferson County residents with a disability?

– You have come to the right website to find the most accessible places and services.

Does your business or organization serve Jefferson County?

– You have come to the right website to find services to increase your accessibility.

DASH is a voice for all people with disabilities

Lynn Gressley walking across Sims Way

DASH will donate a handsome well-designed bench for Jefferson Healthcare’s new Main Entrance in memory of Lynn Gressley, DASH President for many years. More in What’s New below.

Information you will find here:

  • Ongoing updates on DASH Projects
  • DASH Services for individuals, for businesses and organizations and for our community provided at no cost
  • Helpful Information on many subjects and downloadable versions of our publications:

DASH Accessible Restaurants Guide
DASH Accessible Entertainment & Cultural Venues Guide
DASH Accessible Downtown/Uptown Port Townsend Map

What’s New

In-home vaccination available now

Jefferson County Emergency Management is offering vaccinations in homes of people who are not able to access regular vaccination locations. People who need this service are encouraged to call 360-344-9791 to schedule a vaccination in their home.

December 13th, 2021|

DASH Consults with State on Roundabouts

In the Fall of 2021 DASH presented its recommendations to WSDOT for making the proposed roundabout at Sims and Kearney accessible. The major issue is how to make the roundabout safe for blind people and people with visual disabilities.  DASH worked with the Jefferson County Council of the Blind (JCCB) on this.

Part of our consultation with WSDOT involved setting up a simulation of crossing a roundabout while blind. WSDOT sent 6 traffic engineers and Larry Watkinson (WSDOT’s ADA Compliance Manager) to participate in this event. Steve King, City Public Works Director, and Laura Parsons, City Engineer, also took part.

The simulation helped to increase awareness of the specific issues to be addressed in the roundabout design to

accommodate people with visual difficulties.

The Port Townsend Leader covered the event

(https://www.ptleader.com/stories/traffic-engineers-cross-roundabout-

while-blindfolded,78010) and showed Port Townsend Public Works Director Steve King crossing while […]

December 13th, 2021|

Discovery Road Project

DASH consulted with the City throughout the Discovery Road Bikeway and Sidewalk Project to ensure the best outcome and full ADA compliance. The corridor from Rainier Street and Salish Coast Schools will provide safe pedestrian access and connect developing residential, business and school facilities.

December 13th, 2021|

Signage and Access at Chetzemoka Park

DASH consulted with the City to establish an accessible path between the picnic area and the restrooms and clear signage for finding the ADA restroom. Now the picnic area, entrances, restrooms and arbor are all accessible with firm and stable paths and clear, easy to see signage.

December 13th, 2021|

Handrail at the Haller Fountain Steps

The Jefferson Street improvements left the Haller Steps without a handrail that reached to the top 2 steps. For many with balance, visual or mobility issues, the steps were no longer an option for getting from uptown to downtown. DASH often uses photographs to illustrate a problem. Here you can see the problem of not having a long enough handrail.

DASH intervened and now the handrail is long enough and at the exact height needed to provide security when starting down the steps.

December 13th, 2021|

   Sponsor Organizations

Organizations and Individuals that have significantly contributed to the DASH mission

Jefferson Healthcare
City of Port Townsend
Jefferson County
Jefferson Transit
Fort Worden State Park
Jefferson County Council of the Blind
Port Townsend Library Foundation
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

There are many individuals who have given invaluable assistance to DASH over the years – too many to list.  We thank every person and every organization that has played a role in making our community accessible for everyone.

Our new DASH website is one of several projects funded by a grant obtained by Jefferson County under the Accessible Communities Act (ACA). The sole source of ACA grant funds is $100 of every ticket given out to people who park in accessible parking spots without a permit. This program was the brainchild of Toby Olson, Executive Secretary of the Governor’s Committee on Disability and Employment (GCDIE), which administers the grants.

Sponsor Organizations

Accessible Communities Advisory Committee of Jefferson County

United Good Neighbor of Jefferson County

Rotary Club of Port Townsend

Organizations and Individuals that have significantly contributed to the DASH mission

Jefferson Healthcare
City of Port Townsend
Jefferson County
Jefferson Transit
Fort Worden State Park
Jefferson County Council for the Blind
Port Townsend Library Foundation
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

There are many individuals who have given invaluable assistance to DASH over the years – too many to list.  We thank every person and every organization that has played a role in making our community accessible for everyone.

Our new DASH website is one of several projects funded by a grant obtained by Jefferson County under the Accessible Communities Act (ACA). The sole source of ACA grant funds is $100 of every ticket given out to people who park in accessible parking spots without a permit. This program was the brainchild of Toby Olson, Executive Secretary of the Governor’s Committee on Disability and Employment (GCDIE), which administers the grants.