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Washington, DC Zoom Meeting Backgrounds
The #StayHome movement has shifted the way the workforce is meeting thanks to video conferencing platforms like Zoom. One of the most fun features on Zoom is its Virtual Background tab. We decided to create a #DCtogether series of images with some of the city's most iconic backdrops. Download all 24 Zoom backgrounds and enjoy your next meeting in DC, no matter where you are. How to Set Up the Virtual Backgrounds 1. Begin your meeting in a well-lit room with a medium to dark background that is a different color than your top. 2. Save the #DCtogether Zoom image pack to your computer. 3. Open Zoom. 4. Click on the up arrow beside "stop video" in the lower left and select "Choose a virtual background." 5. Click "+ Add Image." 6. If the picture doesn't fully display or is distorted, troubleshoot by moving to a darker background or adding more light.
Washington, DC’s Accessibility Program Spotlights
Please be aware some programs take place bi-annually or quarterly with non-specified dates; please check venue websites for more details and contact information. You can also find more information about requesting accessibility accommodations. Museums National Gallery of Art Join us at the National Gallery of Art: Provides interactive, discussion-based experiences for people with memory loss and their care partners. When: First Tuesday of each month from 1- 2:30 p.m. EST Register: Email access@nga.gov or call (202) 842-6905 Verbal Description Tour: A vivid description of specific works on view in the East Building Where: East Building When: No specific dates; self-guided tour International Spy Museum Access to SPY Series: Offers exclusive programs with enhanced accessibility for various audiences, including those with disabilities. Spy With Me: SPY with Me is an interactive virtual program for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. When: Fourth Tuesday of every month from 2-3 p.m. Register: Email Shana Oltmans at soltmans@spymuseum.org O Museum in the Mansion ASL Secret Door Tour: A tour in ASL for the chance to explore the O Street Mansion and Museum, where visitors can explore this historic building and find secret doors while walking in the footsteps of presidents and freedom fighters, historians and fiction writers. When: Multiple dates available Register: Book tickets online for tours Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) Art Signs: Artful Conversations in ASL: A conversation about selected art pieces. Where: In-Person & Virtual When: In Person: Once a quarter | Virtual: Twice a year Register: Online or with 4 weeks' notice for requested tours America InSight: Discover highlights from SAAM’s collection through rich verbal description and sensory experience. Where: In-Person & Virtual When: In-Person: Twice a year | Virtual: Once per quarter Register: Online or with four weeks’ notice for requested tours See Me at SAAM: A tour opportunity for individuals with mild to moderate dementia and their care partners to discuss and engage with collections during an in-gallery experience. Where: In-Person & Virtual When: Twice a year; view event calendar for dates Register: Email access@si.edu or call (202) 633-2921 Eye-Popping Art: A tour of highlights from the museum’s collection using museum-provided, colorblind correcting glasses that bring the vibrancy of these works to life. Where: In-Person When: Once a quarter; view the event calendar for dates Register: Online through calendar of events or four weeks' notice for requested tours The Phillips Collection Creative Aging: Programming for older adults at the museum includes mindful looking, informal discussion and expressive making as well as conversations and artmaking with Phillips educators. Attendees can explore works of art, share ideas, identify feelings and forge connections. This summer, the museum will also provide a series entitled Reframing Care including resources, support and artful engagement for care partners and their loved ones living with memory loss. Attendees will gather for food and conversation, sharing experiences and resources and connecting wellness with art. The program aims to reimagine our relationship to dementia in positive, hopeful and practical ways. Where: In-Person When: Multiple programs available throughout year; Reframing Care takes place on June 22 and July 7 Register: Free; online registration required U.S. Botanic Garden Color blind glasses: Available for rental in the Conservatory lobby. These glasses are engineered to give those with color blindness the ability to see more of the broad spectrums of bright colors on display all over the U.S. Botanic Garden. Indoor and outdoor lenses, as well as youth sizes, are available to optimize the experience for every kind of visitor. Where: In-Person When: Daily Register: Provide valid driver’s license or government-issued picture ID card Sensory bags & accessories: Available for rental in the Conservatory lobby. Items include noise-reducing headphones, weighted lap blankets and a selection of fidgets to help ease sensory stimulation. These resources are also available for all public programs hosted by the U.S. Botanic Garden. A general sensory tip sheet also provides an overview of the different areas of the indoor Conservatory. Where: In-Person When: Daily Register: Provide valid driver’s license or government-issued picture ID card Morning at the Garden & Evening at the Garden (Sensory-Friendly): Quarterly early openings provide museum access to individuals with cognitive and sensory processing disabilities and their families. The events include early entrance for registered participants, pre-visit materials and a take-a-break space. These programs are coordinated in conjunction with current exhibits at the Botanic Garden. Where: In-Person When: Quarterly Register: Contact USBGaccessibility@aoc.gov for program details Theaters Folger Theatre Open Captioned, ASL Interpreted, Audio-Described, Relaxed and Masked performances When: Multiple shows available for the 2023/2024 season Register: Book tickets online for shows Ford’s Theatre Sensory-Friendly, ASL Interpreted and Audio-Described performances When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances Register: Book tickets online for shows The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Audio-Described, Open Captioned, Sensory-Friendly, Sign-Interpreted and Cued Speech Translated performances When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances Register: Book tickets online for shows (bookings and interpretations needed should be requested 2 weeks in advance) Shakespeare Theatre Company Audio-Described and Open Captioned performances When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances Register: Book tickets online for shows Strathmore DC Audio-Described, Captioned Performances, Sensory- Friendly and Sign-Interpreted Performances When: Multiple shows available, dates based on performances. Register: Book tickets online for shows National Theatre ASL Interpreted Performances When: Multiple shows available Register: Book tickets online for shows Woolly Mammoth Theatre Audio-Described Performances, Open Captioned Performances, Sign-Interpreted Performance and Mask requires productions. When: 2-3 accessible shows available performance, dates based on performances Register: Book tickets online for shows Restaurants/Bars Mozzeria Deaf-owned and operated pizza restaurant As You Are Offers performances and events catered to the LGBTQ+ community When: Multiple dates available based on the event Register: Walk-ins available Bitty & Beau’s A coffee shop that employs individuals with disabilities Busboys and Poets ASL Open Mic Night When: Last Friday of the month Register: Eventbrite or in-person at the bookstore (cash only) Red Bear Brewing Co. ASL Trivia When: Third Thursday of the month Register: Walk-ins only