Accessible Transportation Options

Norfolk International Airport

Parking

• Access ramps to accommodate wheelchair travel are located at both hourly parking lots flanking the airport terminal as well as daily parking lots and garages. Accessible parking spaces are available in garages A, B, D, Daily Parking lot East, Hourly Parking Garage A, Departures North and South lots.
• All patrons, including those with disabled parking placards/license plates, can park free of charge for up to 30 minutes in any airport parking lot or garage. No additional discounts will be provided except for parking perks reservations.

Departures and Arrivals Terminals

• Ramps are available curbside at both complexes.
• Terminal entrances and exits at both arrival and departure are equipped with automatic double doors; door widths are designed to easily accommodate wheelchairs.
• Elevators are conveniently located throughout the Main Passenger Terminal, arrivals (baggage claim) Terminals, and parking garages. All elevators are identified with the standard graphics used to designate accessible facilities and are equipped with raised markings on the control buttons.

Restrooms

• All restrooms feature one cubical with a raised toilet seat designed primarily for non-ambulatory use. Restroom dimensions are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and are equipped with handrails. Restrooms are also equipped with a full-length mirrors and low-level paper towel dispensers/hand dryers.

Drinking Fountains/Water Bottle Refill

• Water fountains throughout the terminals are positioned at a level comfortable for use from a wheelchair. Water bottle fill stations are also available on the airline concourse near TSA checkpoints.

Wheelchairs

• Upon request, airlines will provide complimentary wheelchair assistance. Wheelchairs can also be obtained upon arrival at the passenger terminal by calling Huntleigh USA (wheelchair, skycap services) at 757-889-9958.
• Wheelchair accommodations and skycap assistance can be pre-arranged by calling the airlines prior to travel:
  Allegiant: (705) 505-8888
  American: ­(800) 433-7300
  Breeze: (800) 778-4838
  Delta: (800) 221-1212
  Frontier: (801) 401-9000
  Southwest: (800) 435-9792
  Spirit: (855) 728-3555
  United: (800) 241-6522

Luggage Carts

• Self-serve Smarte Carte luggage carts are located outside the ticket counter areas at curbside on both sides of the Main Passenger Terminal, inside the Arrivals Terminal near baggage carousel 2 and at rental care return on Level 2- Garage A. The cost is $7 to rent a cart with a $.25 refund upon return to any cart rack.

Check-In

• Accessible ticket counters and self-service kiosks are located near airline ticket counters. Delta offers curbside check-in.

TSA Security Checkpoints

• TSA Cares offers a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior to travel at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711 on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• The TSA Cares Program will facilitate Passenger Support Specialist assistance at the airport upon request.

Mobility Aids

• Walkers, crutches and canes may be taken aboard the aircraft. Service dogs are typically allowed to travel on the plane. Call the airline in advance to verify their policy and to make arrangements.

Passenger Loading Bridges

• The use of terminal-to-plane passenger loading bridges permits direct access to and from the aircraft, in most cases, without the necessity of ascending or descending steps between plane and terminal. Contact your airlines to inquire about special lift capability for their aircraft in the event of a ground loading.

Ground Transportation

• On-site rental cars, taxi cabs and app-based transportation companies and peer-to-peer car sharing are located in the Arrivals Terminal. Reservation, pick up and return facilities are wheelchair accessible.
• zTrip is a full-service transportation company offering wheelchair accessible vehicles operated by certified drivers. Advance reservations for arriving travelers are not required.

Hidden Disabilities

• Norfolk International Airport participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to enable people with non-visible disabilities to access the support they need.
• Sunflower lanyards act as a prompt to let others know they have a non-visible disability and that they may need a helping hand, understanding or simply more time.

Amtrak

Station Features

• ADA accessible restrooms are available.
• Service animals are permitted in all areas where passengers are allowed.

Station Assistance

• If you book your trip on Amtrak.com, you can request the use of a station-provided wheelchair to help you get to your train or assistance from a uniformed Amtrak staff member.
• To ensure adequate time for assistance, please arrive at the station at least one hour prior to the train departure time. Notify an Amtrak Customer Service Representative at your departure station so they can help you with your requested assistance.
• At stations staffed by Amtrak employees, personnel will provide assistance to and from the restrooms or with stairs. Courtesy wheelchairs are available at most staffed stations, and larger stations have a passenger service office where you can submit a request.

Boarding and Detraining

• Amtrak trains accommodate most standard-sized mobility devices in use today. However, due to differences in passenger car design, train layout and boarding devices (like ramps, lifts and bridge plates), some routes or passenger equipment can accommodate larger devices than others.
• Amtrak will provide assistance to passengers with a disability who use a wheeled mobility device in the following situations:
  -High Platforms: Amtrak will assist you across the gap between the platform and the train by using a bridge plate.
  -Low-Level Platforms: Amtrak will provide access to the train through the use of station-based mobile lifts.
  -Bi-Level Trains: Amtrak will provide a ramp or station-based mobile lift to provide access to the lower level of the train.
• Passengers with who have requested wheelchair lift assistance or passengers who need assistance boarding will be pre-boarded at originating stations and given priority boarding at enroute stations.

Seating

• There are two onboard seating options for passengers who travel with wheeled mobility devices, depending on the type of device and customer preference. Accessible space and seats are available on Coach, Business Class and First-Class cars.
• If you use a wheeled mobility device that is not identified as collapsible, you must remain seated in your device en route to your destination. Amtrak recommends that your brakes be applied when the train is in motion.
• If you travel with a collapsible wheelchair, you may either remain seated in your device or else transfer to an accessible seat and stow your wheelchair nearby. Onboard Amtrak personnel will assist you with stowing the device if requested.

Accessible Group Travel

• Passengers traveling together who use wheeled mobility devices and wish to be seated together while remaining in their wheelchairs may submit a request.  Email groupsales@amtrak.com or call 800-872-1477 with the details of your request (departure and arrival stations, preferred date(s) of travel, and contact information).
• With sufficient advance notice (at least 14 days) and the availability of space, equipment, and other necessary resources, Amtrak will provide the necessary floor space for the customers to be seated together while remaining in their mobility devices, at no extra charge.
• If a request cannot be fulfilled, Amtrak will make reasonable efforts to provide alternative accommodations. Responses to requests will be made at the earliest time or within five business days.

Hampton Roads Transit

General Accessibility Tips

• By request, HRT will make reasonable modifications to policies and practices to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in all of its programs, services, and activities. HRT, however, is not required to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, create a direct threat to the health and/or safety of others, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
• Service animals are permitted on board all HRT vehicles and in all HRT facilities. You are not required to provide proof of certification for the animal; however, you may be asked if your animal is a service animal and what tasks or functions your service animal provides for you. Any service animal that is disruptive and/or poses as a direct health or safety threat to others may be denied entry to or removed from any HRT vehicle or HRT facility. Pets and companion animals are not defined by the FTA as service animals. In accordance with the ADA, service animals in training are not considered service animals.
• Upon request, HRT will generally provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in HRT’s programs, services, and activities. Some examples of services may include qualified sign language interpreters, documents in alternative formats and audio transcripts.

Paratransit

• Paratransit provides public transportation service for persons with disabilities who because of their disability cannot utilize fixed route bus service. Once approved for Paratransit services, you are also eligible for free fare on HRT fixed-route services (bus, light rail, ferry).
• To be issued a Paratransit photo ID which will authorize you for the free fare program, bring your HRT Certificate of Eligibility for ADA Paratransit Services with a matching state/military/government ID to your nearest HRT ID Processing location.

Elizabeth River Ferries

• Hampton Roads Transit operates three 150-passenger ferries on the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth. They travel between North Landing and High Street in Portsmouth and the Waterside District in downtown Norfolk. They are fast, economical and offer a unique view of the river and the waterfront. Ferries operate every 30 minutes with 15-minute service during the summer at peak times on weekends. Schedules are subject to change based on operating situations (weather, mechanical problems, etc.).
• The ferry is wheelchair accessible.
• The ferry requires exact fare. Adult fares each way are $2. Children under 17 ride free with a paid adult. Senior discounts apply.