A message from Commissioner McCosh: Inauguration event accessibility

Dear Disability Community Members,



This is an exciting week! Inauguration events for President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris will take place on Wednesday, January 20th. To help ensure that our community has the opportunity to take part in these events, I would like to share accessibility information available for viewing the events.  

 

Inauguration: 

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 



At 10 a.m., the 59th Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies will begin broadcasting. At 12 p.m. (noon), Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris will be sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol.



All events will be live streamed at bideninaugural.org and on the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s (PIC) social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The schedule on the PIC website also links to the platform to watch. For additional accommodation requests or questions please email accessibility@bideninaugural.org. For Inauguration Day events coverage in Spanish language on Telemundo, consult your local cable service directory.

 

Our White House: An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans: 

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 

 

Watch the first-ever curated livestream for young Americans before and during the Inaugural Ceremonies. The livestream will feature a special message from Dr. Jill Biden; commentary from historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Erica Armstrong Dunbar; a segment on presidential pets produced by Nickelodeon; excerpts of student voices from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs “We the Young People” programming; trivia questions, including some asked by Doug Emhoff; segments produced by the Library of Congress; and other special features.

 

Streamed at BidenInaugural.org/youth and PIC’s YouTube channel; broadcasted by Nickelodeon and Discovery Education and steamed via their websites, apps, and social media platforms; steamed online by PBS NewsHour, Amazon Prime Video, and on ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 connected TV Apps across Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku; and Spanish-language broadcast to air on Discovery Familia later on January 20th.



Pass in Review: 

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 



After the official swearing-in ceremony on the West front of the U.S. Capitol, the new President, First Lady, Vice President, and Second Gentleman will participate in a Pass in Review on the East front with members of the military. Pass in Reviews are a long-standing military tradition that reflect the peaceful transfer of power to a new Commander-in-Chief, during which the President, hosted by the Commander of Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, will review the readiness of military troops. Every branch of the military will be represented in this event.



Arlington National Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 



The newly inaugurated President, Dr. Biden, the Vice President, and Mr. Emhoff will visit Arlington National Cemetery following the swearing-in ceremony and Pass In Review at the U.S. Capitol following the Inaugural ceremonies. They will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honoring our men and women in uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our common values. This will be one of the President-elect’s first acts as Commander-in-Chief, and he will be joined by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton.



Presidential Escort: 

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 



The new President will receive a Presidential Escort from 15th Street to the White House, providing the American people and the world with historic images of the President proceeding to the White House. Every branch of the military will be represented in the escort, including The U.S. Army Band, a Joint Service Honor Guard, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and Fife and Drum Corps from the 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard.” 



Virtual Parade Across America: 

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 



In light of the pandemic, the PIC will produce a virtual parade across America that will be televised for the American people and feature diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country. The parade will celebrate America’s heroes, highlight Americans from all walks of life in different states and regions, and reflect on the diversity, heritage, and resilience of the country as we begin a new American era. 



Celebrating America: 

American Sign Language (ASL), Closed Captions and Narration Provided 



The capstone prime-time program for the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris to celebrate the beginning of a new national journey toward an America united. “Celebrating America” will be hosted by Tom Hanks from 8:30-10:30 pm. and will showcase the American people’s resilience, heroism, and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild. The program will feature performances that represent the rich diversity and extensive talent America offers, and the American heroes who are helping their fellow Americans through this crisis.



The program will be carried live by ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, and PBS. It will be streamed live on PIC social media channels: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Twitch. The PIC’s streaming partners, including Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW from Fox, and AT&T DIRECTV and U-verse, will also be carrying the program live.



I hope you will all tune in to watch these historic events, which offer more accessible viewing options than ever before!



As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you need any information or assistance. You can dial 311 to reach City Hall, or call us at 617-635-3682. Our email is disability@boston.gov and the latest updates are available at Boston.gov . 



Until next week, please stay informed, stay safe, and stay healthy. 



Sincerely,

Commissioner Kristen McCosh