Accessibility

Georgetown University is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming Commencement experience for our students, guests, and community members. We strive to design our Commencement ceremonies with accessibility in mind and incorporate the accessibility features described below. 

Initial information regarding disability accommodations can be found below. All requests for disability accommodations–for both graduates and their guests–should be made through the graduate’s commencement registration form (via Marching Order.) 

Graduates should contact their school’s Dean’s office with any questions or for additional information regarding the process for requesting disability accommodation.

Arrival and parking 

Designated accessible parking spaces are available on a first-come, first served basis in the Southwest Quad garage. Individuals who utilize designated accessible parking spaces must display a state-issued disability license plate or placard. To maximize the availability of accessible parking spaces in the garage, if possible, please consider utilizing the drop-off area located at the entrance of the parking garage prior to parking in the garage. 

The university provides free, accessible, shuttle buses for guests with disabilities to escort people from the parking facilities to the graduation site. These on-campus shuttles will make stops around Georgetown’s campus, including the front gates of the University. Please consult the shuttle route map for a list of stops.

The front gates of the University, at the intersection of 37th and O Streets, is an accessible drop-off location. Please be advised that neighborhood traffic is heavy during commencement and there may be unannounced road closures as the Metropolitan Police Department manages traffic in our neighborhood.   

The shuttles will make continuous runs on the following schedule:

  • Thursday, May 16: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Friday, May 17:  7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 18: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 19: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Accessible Map (Main Campus)

Georgetown provides a campus map that outlines accessible routes from the Southwest garage to locations on campus commonly accessed by visitors.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

Complimentary wheelchairs will be available at Healy Circle. Graduates are encouraged to indicate the need for a wheelchair (for themselves or guests) in their commencement registration form (via Marching Order). Wheelchairs are for on campus use only and can be checked in and out on a daily basis according to the schedule below. You must provide a valid driver’s license or credit card to borrow a wheelchair.

  • Wednesday, May 15: 3 p.m. – 8:30pm
  • Thursday, May 16: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Friday, May 17: 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 18: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 19: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For information about rental of additional mobility devices, please consider reaching out to one of the following external vendors.

Sign Language Interpretation

All of our commencement ceremonies and Tropaia ceremonies offer an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

Designated seating will be available near the ASL interpreter. If you have a question regarding a specific ceremony, please contact your student’s Dean’s office. 

If you are attending other than commencement and Tropaia ceremonies, and would like to request ASL interpretation, please contact the organizer of the event.

Captioning

All of our commencement ceremonies and all of our Tropaia ceremonies will display captioning on screens that project the ceremony. If you have a question regarding a specific ceremony, please contact your student’s Dean’s office. 

If you are attending other than commencement and Tropaia ceremonies, and would like to request ASL interpretation, please contact the organizer of the event.

Accessible Seating

All of our commencement ceremonies will have designated accessible seating for individuals with disabilities and a companion. Each school manages accessible seating for their ceremony. Graduates are required to indicate the need for accessible seating (for themselves or guests) in their commencement registration form (via Marching Order). 

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening technology is designed to provide real-time audio streaming to any mobile device using an app. Event participants can download the free app by scanning a QR code before or at the event, and then connecting to the channel for the event. Georgetown also provides a number of loaner mobile devices pre-loaded with the app to support greater access. 

How to Use 

  1. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.  
  2. Log in to the channel.
  3. Adjust sound temperature.

Programs in Alternative Formats

Accessible programs will be available online at commencement.georgetown.edu. A limited number of large-print versions of the order of exercises for each ceremony will be available at the program tent in Healy Circle (or McDonough Gym foyer in the case of severe weather).

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome to accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas on campus that are open to members of the public. Personal pets are not allowed in any campus buildings or in the seating area for outdoor ceremonies.

Livestream of Commencement Ceremonies

All commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Georgetown University Facebook page. You do not need a Facebook account to view the ceremonies. Live captions will be included in the livestream.

Quiet/Sensory Space

We recognize that a high-paced celebratory environment can be overwhelming and overstimulating for many of our students, faculty, staff, and guests. There will be a quiet room with sensory tools available in the Bioethics Research Library, located on the first floor of the Healy building, room 102. It is available during the following times:

  • Thursday, May 16, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday, May 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For any questions or for additional information regarding the process for requesting disability accommodations, graduates should contact their school’s Dean’s office.