Accessibility at Ceremonies and Celebrations

In an effort to ensure an equitable Commencement experience for everyone, all ceremonies offer a host of accessibility features. This includes ASL interpretation, live captioning, accessible seating, assistive listening technology, and accessible programs.

If you have a question regarding a specific ceremony, please contact your school’s Dean’s office. 

Sign language interpretation

All of our commencement ceremonies and Tropaia ceremonies offer American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. Designated seating will be available near the ASL interpreter. 

If you are attending celebrations other than commencement and Tropaia ceremonies, and would like to request ASL interpretation, please contact the related Dean’s office or  the organizer of the event.

Live captioning

All of our Commencement ceremonies feature screens that will display live captions.

Many awards ceremonies and other events will have live captions available for you to view on your mobile device. Our Live Captions page includes the specific links to use to access each ceremony’s captions.

Accessible seating

All Commencement ceremonies have designated accessible seating for individuals with disabilities and their companions. Each school manages the 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 Tassel). 

Assistive listening technology

For all commencement ceremonies and events taking place in the tent on Healy Lawn, assistive listening technology is available to provide real-time audio streaming to any mobile device using an app.

Guests and event participants are encouraged to download the free app in advance.

Once on campus, guests should check in at the program tent in Healy Circle. A Georgetown team member there will help you connect to the audio feed.

In case of severe weather, assistive listening technology will be available at McDonough Arena (the severe weather location). Guests will be able to check in and connect to the audio feed at the program table in the arena.

Programs in alternative formats

Accessible programs will be available online at the Commencement website home page. 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).