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

Project to create an accessible playground for Jefferson County begins.

There are NO Accessible Playgrounds in Jefferson County JUMP! is a group of physical and occupational therapists, parents of children with disabilities, and community members that has formed to build a new accessible and inclusive playground at HJ Carroll Park.  We have found a fiscal sponsor in the Mike Beery Memorial Children's Fund, and will be accepting donations to help us build this playground.  We have received approval from the Jefferson County Parks & Recreation department to donate this playground to the County.  After our contract is reviewed by the County Legal dept. we will then be presenting to the Board of County Commissioners.  Once we have that approval, we will be launching our website, so stay tuned!

September 18th, 2016|

Hard Ship | A Really Great Big Story

Many more followers of the Race to Alaska tuned in to watch Team Alula cross the finish line than watched the first-place winners cross the same line.  Three paralyzed men from Australia took up one of sailing’s most grueling challenges—a 750-mile race to Alaska through some of the most treacherous and remote waters on the planet.  Here is their journey start to finish line.

September 9th, 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

Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is a year-round, accessible city park

Kah Tai Lagoon Bridge

Photo courtesy of Mike McKee www.myporttownsend.com

"August 2017: City parks has recently added gravel to portions of the trails rendering them less firm and stable. DASH is monitoring the situation." Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is a year-round, accessible city park that is popular with birdwatchers, dog walkers and people of all ages. The level, firm, well-packed earth loop trail starts at the accessible parking slot area for a 20 minutes easy walk along a level trail. Enjoy a relaxing walk or wheelchair roll along to the northeast shore of the Kah Tai Lagoon. The park has many varieties of waterfowl, including Ruddy Ducks and Blue Herons.  Stroll or Roll into Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park to enjoy listening to the birds and seeing seasonall wildflowers.
May 3rd, 2017|

Fort Worden, ADA Trail, at Fort Worden Historical State Park

Photo of ADA Trail at Fort Worden

Photo Courtesy of Travis Rowland

Fort Worden, ADA Trail, at Fort Worden Historical State Park, Port Townsend is 100% accessible, meeting all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Well maintained, 6.5 to 7.5 feet wide asphalt walkway has a slight incline for a pleasant 30 minute loop trail along the beach from Marine Science Center towards the Lighthouse and looping round to beautiful views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, plentiful birds, and seasonal flowers, including wild rose and lupine.  No Washington State DISCOVER PASS needed for visitors with WA Disability Vehicle Plates or blue disability hanger.
May 3rd, 2017|

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|

Project to create an accessible playground for Jefferson County begins.

There are NO Accessible Playgrounds in Jefferson County JUMP! is a group of physical and occupational therapists, parents of children with disabilities, and community members that has formed to build a new accessible and inclusive playground at HJ Carroll Park.  We have found a fiscal sponsor in the Mike Beery Memorial Children's Fund, and will be accepting donations to help us build this playground.  We have received approval from the Jefferson County Parks & Recreation department to donate this playground to the County.  After our contract is reviewed by the County Legal dept. we will then be presenting to the Board of County Commissioners.  Once we have that approval, we will be launching our website, so stay tuned!

September 18th, 2016|

   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.