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

The Business Park Trail

A rough trail between the Business Park and the adjacent neighborhood had the potential to link up all of the Business Park with its many fine businesses, the residential area and the shops at Castle Hill. Part of the trail was the responsibility of the Business Park. The problem was that the gravel on it was unstable and the trail was not possible if you use wheels. A further section (that needed some serious grading) was on City Right of Way. DASH intervened successfully with both the Business Park and the City resulting in a continuous accessible route that will benefit all, both businesses and residents.

December 13th, 2021|

čičməhán Trail, Fully Accessible Route in Port Townsend

This fully accessible portion of the čičməhán Trail is about a mile in length on level downtown sidewalks, the Rotary Centennial Trail on the waterfront at Point Hudson and the low-traffic Point Hudson streets. The area is served by the #11 bus. There are ADA parking spaces along the route and benches in several locations. Accessible restrooms are available at the Cotton Building and the Northwest Maritime Center.

A čičməhán Trail brochure is available for a driving route that takes visitors to 16 locations in Port Townsend. This longer route has transit stops, ADA parking and accessible restrooms marked.

A brochure and map was produced through collaboration between DASH, the Jamestown Tribe and the Native Connections Action Group. The brochure is available on the Links Page and at booths at Chetzemoka Park and the Maritime Center downtown.

December 13th, 2021|

Giving Assistant: Ways to Give to Support DASH

Disability Awareness Starts Here

Great deals. Good deeds.

Use Giving Assistant to save money and support DASH- Disability Awareness Starts Here

Giving Assistant is a free, easy, and reliable way to help Disability Awareness Starts Here go even further. When you shop online at 3,000+ popular online retailers using Giving Assistant, you earn cash back. Then, you get to decide how much of that cash back you’d like to donate to Disability […]
November 19th, 2018|

A memorial bench in honor of Lynn Gressley

Lynn Gressley's bench dedication ceremony

Lynn Gressley’s mother (front row at right) and Lynn’s brother attended the ceremony

A memorial bench in honor of Lynn Gressley, DASH’s first President, was dedicated on March 3rd at Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend.

DASH’s gift of the bench is part of our work with Jefferson Healthcare on improving access in and around its facilities. This well-designed, comfortable bench for Jefferson Healthcare’s new entrance was funded by generous donations from many locals joining with DASH in making this gift.

At the ceremony Hilary Whittington, the hospital’s CFO, spoke about working with DASH over the last 2 years to make sure that the new Emergency and Specialty Services Building meets the needs of all patients and visitors. Travis Rowland spoke on behalf of the DASH Board about the many improvements that have transformed access at Jefferson Healthcare. Pat Teal, DASH President, shared memories of Lynn Gressley and described his lifelong dedication to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

Following the ceremony around 50 people headed to the Garden Row cafe inside the hospital to celebrate with a parsnip and apple cake specially baked by Chef Arran Stark for the occasion.

This article about the bench dedication appeared in the Peninsula Daily News on March 5th, 2017:
May 2nd, 2017|

Inclusive Technology Improves Access to Fort Worden Beaches

A beach wheelchair and beach walker are now available to use at the Fort Worden beach area without cost.

This article about the beach wheelchair appeared in the Port Townsend Leader in August:

http://www.ptleader.com/news/business/ beach-wheelchair-is-latest-gain-in- accessibility/article_2932caac-6981 -11e6-9112-c3fc467f65de.html

October 13th, 2016|

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

The Business Park Trail

A rough trail between the Business Park and the adjacent neighborhood had the potential to link up all of the Business Park with its many fine businesses, the residential area and the shops at Castle Hill. Part of the trail was the responsibility of the Business Park. The problem was that the gravel on it was unstable and the trail was not possible if you use wheels. A further section (that needed some serious grading) was on City Right of Way. DASH intervened successfully with both the Business Park and the City resulting in a continuous accessible route that will benefit all, both businesses and residents.

December 13th, 2021|

čičməhán Trail, Fully Accessible Route in Port Townsend

This fully accessible portion of the čičməhán Trail is about a mile in length on level downtown sidewalks, the Rotary Centennial Trail on the waterfront at Point Hudson and the low-traffic Point Hudson streets. The area is served by the #11 bus. There are ADA parking spaces along the route and benches in several locations. Accessible restrooms are available at the Cotton Building and the Northwest Maritime Center.

A čičməhán Trail brochure is available for a driving route that takes visitors to 16 locations in Port Townsend. This longer route has transit stops, ADA parking and accessible restrooms marked.

A brochure and map was produced through collaboration between DASH, the Jamestown Tribe and the Native Connections Action Group. The brochure is available on the Links Page and at booths at Chetzemoka Park and the Maritime Center downtown.

December 13th, 2021|

Outdated Law Blocks Post Office Renovation

November 28, 2018

DASH (Disability Awareness Starts Here) has been working for over a decade to convince the U.S. Postal Service to make changes to the Port Townsend Post Office that would allow all citizens accessibility. USPS substations were established in Port Townsend to allow access but subsequently closed. The closest post office to Port Townsend is 10 miles away. All other public buildings in Port Townsend are accessible, including the historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

The public can only enter the Port Townsend Post Office after climbing 13 steep steps, which makes it inaccessible for individuals with disabilities. Also, parents with babies in strollers and older individuals are among those who find it dangerous to climb the steps, especially with packages. The lack of accessibility also prevents disabled veterans or others with mobility challenges to work for the Port Townsend Post Office.

DASH has proposed a convenient, low-cost ramp, which USPS has refused to consider. The […]

December 10th, 2018|

Giving Assistant: Ways to Give to Support DASH

Disability Awareness Starts Here

Great deals. Good deeds.

Use Giving Assistant to save money and support DASH- Disability Awareness Starts Here

Giving Assistant is a free, easy, and reliable way to help Disability Awareness Starts Here go even further. When you shop online at 3,000+ popular online retailers using Giving Assistant, you earn cash back. Then, you get to decide how much of that cash back you’d like to donate to Disability […]
November 19th, 2018|

HAMLET | Shakespeare in the Park | August 3-26, 2018 at 6 pm each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Golf Cart Transportation for mobility challenged patrons is available between the main gate of Chetzemoka Park and the performance area at the bottom of the hill. The cart runs from 5:15pm until 6pm. Please wait at the main gate (intersection of Jackson & Blaine Sts) for pick-up. After 6pm you may send someone down to the performance area to alert the driver. The cart runs at intermission (to the restrooms) and after the show.

August 14th, 2018|

   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.