New accessibility ramp open at Governor’s Mansion in Richmond

Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe onMarch 21 were joined by veterans and Virginians with disabilities for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of an accessibility ramp at the Executive Mansion that will enhance access and safety for all guests.

Governor McAuliffe was quoted in a news release as saying, “The Executive Mansion is the people’s house, and this ramp will ensure the most accessible and dignified welcome for all Virginians, from our wounded warriors to our disabled citizens.”

“We want everyone who visits the Executive Mansion to feel welcome, and to achieve that goal, every visitor must able to enter on the main floor,” said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “Through thoughtful collaboration with architectural and preservation experts, we were able to provide enhanced access that complements the historic character of the home.”

The ramp is connected to an existing breezeway leading to the southern entrance on the first floor of the Mansion. The first floor is the formal reception area used to welcome visitors and guests.

Prior to the ramp’s construction, those who could not climb the steep steps to the historic portico had to use an elevator located at the basement level on the back of the home to access the first floor.

Jim Rothrock, Commissioner of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, was quoted in the news release as saying, “It is exciting to see one of the final barriers removed in our Capitol Square, and this addition extends our Commonwealth’s traditional hospitality now to all Virginians.”