ADA Access for Commencement

 

 

No tickets are required if the Commencement is held outside and there is no limit to the number of guests you may bring. If poor weather conditions prevail and Commencement exercises are moved indoors, each guest must produce a ticket to gain entry to the Johnson Fitness Center. See the Seating Diagrams and Ticket Information section or the Indoor Ceremony Information below for more information.

There is no reserved seating at Commencement. If you expect to need assistance, please plan to arrive early to secure adequate seating. Seating at Commencement is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

ASL Interpretation Services:  ASL interpretation will be provided at the Commencement ceremony. If you require direct sightline seating, please contact the Campus Events Office at (410)778-7743 by May 10th .

Outdoor Ceremony Information 

ADA Seating (Outdoor Ceremony): Accessible seating areas will be set aside to accommodate guests with disabilities and one companion. Seating in these areas is general and unreserved. Wheelchair spaces with companion seating are dispersed throughout the Commencement site’s general seating area. Please note that all seating areas are in the grass. Washington College does not provide wheelchairs. Ushers will help guide individuals to the designated area, and they will be available to assist attendees in any emergency.

Simulcast information, Captioning and ADA access (Outdoor Ceremony): Simulcast video with captions are available via our streaming site and in two spaces -  in Norman James Theatre and Decker Theatre. ADA access to Norman James theate is via the ground floor through the rear of the building (Help Desk entrance) by use of the elevator. Please note that Norman James Theatre is a sloped space. This building is air-conditioned. Decker theatre is located in our Gibson Theatre building off Martha Washington Square and has ADA access and is air conditioned as well.

ADA Access for Restrooms (Outdoor Ceremony): Restrooms at the outdoor Commencement ceremony are available in William Smith Hall. For ADA Access, please use the rear of the building to access the elevators on the ground floor.  Additional directional signs will be displayed. 

ADA Parking: Parking near the ceremony is limited. If your car has an accessible parking tag, you will be directed to drop-off guests with disabilities behind William Smith Hall and park in the nearest accessible parking space. There will be some reserved accessible parking and an easy drop-off area for guests with disabilities near the seating area. Courtesy carts and shuttles will be available to assist family members from parking areas to event venues. Public Safety officers will be present at the location to help direct traffic and parking.

Indoor Ceremony Information

ADA Seating (Indoor Ceremony): If Commencement is moved indoors due to inclement weather, it will be held in the the Johnson Fitness Center. The Johnson Fitness Center is accessible at the Main Entrance point. All seats are ADA compliant  with room for wheelchairs. Restrooms in the hallway outside of the Field House are accessible.    

Simulcast information, Captioning and ADA access (Indoor Ceremony): Simulcast video with captions will be available via our streaming site and in Decker Theatre, Gibson Center for the Arts. This building is ADA accessible via the rear (Kohl Gallery entrance) or the front of the building (via a ramp to the left of the main entrance). This building is air-conditioned.

ADA Parking (Indoor Ceremony): Parking near the ceremony is limited. If your car has an accessible parking tag, you will be directed to drop-off guests with disabilities at the driveway of the Johnson Fitness Center and park in the nearest accessible parking space. Please note that there is a hill to enter the building, but access is available without steps. Courtesy carts and shuttles will be available to assist family members from other parking areas to event venues. Public Safety officers will be present at the location to help direct traffic and parking.

Additional questions?

Please contact the Campus Events Office at (410) 778-7743 or campus_eventsFREEwashcoll.