Riders with disabilities

We are committed to providing equal access to our riders with disabilities. All our facilities are accessible to people with disabilities, though there are varying levels of accessibility on our ferries based on vessel type.

Discounted disability fare

People with disabilities may qualify for reduced passenger fares (half the regular passenger fare rate) on any route.

Ferry and terminal accessibility

All our ferries and terminals are accessible to riders with disabilities.

If an elevator, accessible restroom or other accessibility feature is out of service on one of our ferries or terminals, we post a notification on our travel alert bulletins page. You can also sign up for route-specific travel alerts to get notification of elevator outages and other information that could affect your trip.

If you have questions about your travel, give our team a call at 206-464-6400. We can recommend sailing times and identify vessels and terminals that best accommodate your needs.

Drivers and passengers in vehicles

If you have a special loading request (e.g., placement near an elevator or car deck restroom, egress on the left or right side of the vehicle, etc.) please arrive early and notify the ticket seller. Vehicle spaces that allow for specific access are allocated on a first-come, space available basis.

People travelling with vehicle reservations or an approved medical preferential loading should double check on how many minutes you should arrive in advance of your sailing based on route.

Walk-on passengers

Walk-on passengers may ask terminal and vessel personnel for assistance. Types of assistance can include, but are not limited to, assistance in boarding, requesting to use a WSF wheelchair if one is available and notification when boarding begins.

Emergency evacuations

If the captain declares an emergency, audio announcements will direct passengers to the right area. Crews will search and evacuate all passengers from the car deck and public spaces to the main passenger cabin assembly stations. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, a crew member will come by your vehicle and give you a safety emergency action card instructing you to leave your vehicle and go to a passenger assembly station.

A vessel may slow or stop for one of the following reasons that are not emergencies, and in these cases, you can stay in your vehicle:

• Required emergency drills.
• A memorial service on board the vessel.
• Whales in the vicinity.
• Responding to a vessel in distress or investigating an event for the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Slowing or stopping for other vessel traffic.
• Waiting for another ferry to depart the ferry terminal. 

Trip assistance and attendant travel

All our employees have critical functions to perform during loading and unloading operations. With this in mind, we will make every attempt to assist you, depending on time, safety and employee availability.

If you need assistance with wheelchair transport, luggage, etc., please bring an attendant. If you know you will need a wheelchair on a specific sailing, please call us at 206-464-6400 at least 24 hours in advance to make arrangements.

Some terminals may have wheelchairs available upon request. WSF wheelchairs must be returned to the terminal after being used to transport passengers onto the vessel. Attendants may travel free of charge with customers who have an attendant care endorsement on their WSF Disability Travel Permit or ORCA RRFP card.

Ferry personnel cannot provide physical assistance transferring a passenger from a seat to a wheelchair, assistance in the restroom, or with eating.

Attendant care for groups

We operate a program for organizations that transport large groups of customers who need assistance (such as senior centers, nursing homes and assisted living centers) that allows support staff to travel without paying additional fares. To apply for a permit for your organization through this program, please contact us at 888-808-7977.

Service animals

Service animals are allowed in all public areas of the terminals and vessels, as required by state and federal law. Employees are authorized to inquire whether an animal is a service animal, whether the animal is for a person with a disability, and what task the animal is trained to perform. Owners must be in control of their animals at all times.

If you have a pet and not a service animal, learn the rules about travelling with pets on our pets page.

Disability discrimination complaints

Any individual, group, or entity who believes they have been subjected to discrimination based on disability with regard to any WSF activity, facility, program or service are encouraged to consult the WSDOT External ADA Grievance Procedure (PDF 80KB). Complaints may be filed by contacting:

• Customer service: 206-464-6400
  • Toll-Free in Washington and British Columbia: 888-808-7977
• Online through our ADA complaint email
• WSF ADA Accessibility coordinator: 206-515-3437

ADA Notice

WSDOT will modify its policies, practices and procedures to ensure individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in its programs, services, or activities unless the modification fundamentally alters the program, service, or activity, creates a safety issue, or is not otherwise required by the ADA. Requests for modification can be made to any WSDOT employee or at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll free 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington state telecommunications relay service at 711.

WSDOT ADA Transition Plan

The latest version can be found on our Equal Opportunity Americans with Disabilities Act page.