Accessibility
GW is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you have questions about accommodations, contact Disability Support Services at [email protected]. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
Accessibility at Commencement on the National Mall
The National Mall is an outdoor, grassy area with gravel walkways. GW’s Commencement site has no shade or covering. There are shady areas underneath the trees that line our Commencement site; they fall outside of our reserved space and are open to the public, and guests, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lactation, Nursing, and Changing Areas | Parking | Seating and Drop-Off on the National Mall | Service Animals | Strollers | Visual and Audio Aids at the National Mall | Wheelchairs, Motorized Scooters, and Canes on the National Mall
Private lactation, nursing, and changing areas with electrical outlets, tables, and chairs will be available at Commencement on the National Mall. No refrigeration or storage is provided. Check with event staff or reference our site map (available by early May) for their locations.
There is no reservable, dedicated ADA parking on the National Mall. Limited public accessible parking spaces are available. A number of privately-owned parking garages are located within about half a mile of the Commencement site. Parking fees vary by location.
An ADA seating area is reserved for guests who have limited mobility; they may be accompanied by one guest. Commencement staff will be available to escort guests from the drop-off area to the ADA seating section.
To gain access to the drop-off area, students and guests may pick up a placard from the help desk on the Foggy Bottom campus. That location will be announced in early May.
Graduates with limited mobility who require ADA seating at Commencement should report to the backstage check-in tent.
Consistent with National Park Service guidelines, service animals are allowed at Commencement on the National Mall. For information about other animals allowed on National Park Service property, visit the National Park Pets website.
Collapsible strollers are allowed at Commencement on the National Mall in the guest seating area if they do not block the aisles.
The Commencement site will have large screens with closed-captioning. A reserved area near the front of the stage is available for those who need American sign language interpretation. The printed program will be available on the Commencement website for those who require a large-print version. An array of speakers for sound amplification will be available throughout graduate and guest seating.
The National Mall ceremony site is covered by uneven plastic flooring that may be slippery in the event of precipitation. Guests should use caution when walking on this surface or any of the surrounding areas.
Wheelchairs on the National Mall are available for limited, short-term use and cannot be dedicated to individual guests. Guests may rent wheelchairs and scooters if they need them for an extended period of time. Due to the individualized nature of mobility devices, guests are asked to make arrangements to secure a mobility device that supports their needs before the event. The university has compiled a list of providers for your convenience:
Accessibility at School Celebrations on Campus
Lactation, Nursing, and Changing Areas | Parking | Seating at School Celebrations on Campus | Service an Emotional Support Animals | Strollers | Visual and Audio Aids | Wheelchairs, Motorized Scooters, and Canes
The University Student Center (800 21st Street, NW) has a lactation room available on the 2nd floor, near the women’s restroom. Most women’s and all-gender restrooms on campus have changing stations available.
All university visitor parking garages are ADA compliant. Visit the university’s parking website for more information about locations and fees.
The Charles E. Smith Center, the University Student Center, and Lisner Auditorium have ADA seating available. Guests should check in with an usher when they arrive for access to ADA seating. Graduates who require accessible seating during their school celebration should notify their school.
Service animals are allowed in university buildings. Only animals who meet the definition of a service animal have access to university facilities.
Collapsible strollers are allowed in all campus buildings including the University Student Center, Lisner Auditorium, and the Charles E. Smith Center. They must not block any entrances, exits, aisles, or pathways. In the Smith Center, strollers will be stored underneath the bleachers during events.
The Charles E. Smith Center, Lisner Auditorium, and the University Student Center all have in-room sound amplification systems for school celebrations.
The printed program for each school celebration will be available on that school’s website for those who require a large-print version. Click on the school’s name in the Commencement Schedule for access to its website.
American Sign Language (ASL) will be available if a request was submitted for their services during registration.
No wheelchairs or scooters are available for use at school celebrations. Guests may rent wheelchairs and scooters if they need them for an extended period of time. Due to the individualized nature of mobility devices, guests are asked to make arrangements to secure a mobility device that supports their needs before the event. The university has compiled a list of providers for your convenience:
Map
Foggy Bottom Campus Map
